/o .  /^.  <?5. 


7 


O\ie®hfomm^ 


^V*  PRINCETON,   N.  J.  ^i^h 


Purchased    by  the 
Mrs.    Robert   Lenox   Kennedy   Church   History   Fund. 


Z'/T,'?V/<vi..£X8Q.b.  I 
Sectio7i .« .  Vl  o.  .b. . .  f. .  .U.  -Jr 


1 

1 



1 

j 

^. 

« 

a 

i 

<    ■  -.. 

e 

; 

J 

© 

3 

^ 

-■.'---„.  cq      .' 

^ 

• 

/ 

^ 

...... 

-.-... -..^_ 

"''-  \ 

"---.. 

---.- 

C0 

< 

>       "J 

e 

z 

/            ^  -    ~~-. 

s 

< 

/                                     ; 

X 

£ 

- 

j                                 ^? 

e 

a 

I           "       s  ^  * 

L                     25 

J~^         °:    :j 

; 

'11 

~^.       "" 

' 

— )!                                .-         •  '^  ' 

• 

/~9 

'v 

■~>l                                *                    ' 

,/^    v 

rK    cr 

^^ 

-    J 

?i                                               Sji 

. 

r 

'    ^\y\jT 

r^ 

iy 

.^J-y/ 

> 
1 

-- 

-  — 

' 

^      *    \'.\     •  ^ " 

.h 

c 

H 

• 

< 

!      .V    %     ^  ■  s 

^JL    \^  ^ 

/ 

^     '"    < 

/ 

U 

> 

\h 

/■- 

— '*      :" :  V^  a  j  \ 

*                   J 

>• 

• 

. 

z 

\           nS  ^~^/\ 

< 

; 

■  ■*  1 

t- 

^ 

L^ 

^    c^-    S         \ 

% 

<  -> 

/ 

\ 

\      y^^ 

-      •(! 

(A 

\ 

1    /    //^ 

u. 

J' 

/ 

L-/      iT" 

•^ 

r< 

( 

^  \           \   / 

s 

/^ 

-^-^\ 

y^ 

<1_ 

/] 

V, 

y^     ^ 

c. 

/ 

; 

J 

WILLIAM  F.  ULERY. 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE 


OF   THE 


PITTTSBURQ    SYNOD 


OF   THE 


EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAM   CHURCH 


BY 


REV.  WILLIAM  F,  ULERY,  A.  M. 


EDITED   AND    PUBLISHED    BY 

REVS.  W.  F.  ULERY,  A.  M.  AND  A.  L.  YOUNT,  D.  D. 

COMMITTEE    OF   CONFERENCE. 


SECOND  AND  ENLARGED  EDITION. 


GREENSBURG,  PA., 
Church  Register  Company, 
1903. 


Copyright,    190'J, 

BY 

W.    F.    ULERY. 


PREFACE. 

The  desire  to  know  more  of  the  early  beginnings  of  our 
church  and  trace  its  growth  and  development,  and  to  preserve, 
in  fact  and  form,  the  history  of  the  acts  and  experiences  of  the 
fathers,  and  hand  it  down  to  coming  generations,  has  led  to  the 
preparation  and  publication  of  this  volume. 

A  number  of  years  ago,  the  Pittsburg  Synod  took  action 
looking  toward  the  preparation  of  a  history  of  our  churches,  but 
the  plan  was  never  carried  out.  The  Southern  Conference  made 
the  first  move  in  this  matter,  at  its  meeting  in  October,  1899, 
when  a  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  historical  sketch 
of  our  Conference  and  our  churches  to  be  read  at  the  next  fall 
meeting. 

At  its  meeting  in  October,  1900,  the  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee reported  a  sketch  of  the  conference  history  and  a  plan  of 
the  history  of  its  churches  and  pastors,  which  was  approved  and 
a  committee  of  publication  appointed,  consisting  of  Revs.  W.  F. 
Ulery,  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D.  and  J.  Sarver,  D.  D.  As  Dr.  Sarver 
declined.   Rev.  Ulery  and  Dr.  Yount  constituted  this  committee. 

In  June,  1901,  at  a  special  meeting,  held  in  Greensburg,  the 
conference  authorized  an  edition  of  500  copies.  Hence  this 
work  has  been  prepared  and  published  by  the  authority  of  the 
Southern  Conference.  It  has  been  no  small  task  to  gather  the 
mat-trials  and  formulate  them  into  this  history. 

The  materials  have  been  gathered  from  many  sources,  they 
have  been  gleaned  from  old  church  records,  from  the  County 
History  and  the  history  of  the  State.  It  has  been  our  aim  in 
tracing  the  history  of  the  church  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  gen- 
eral history  of  our  territory  and  note  some  of  the  contemporary 
events. 

iii 


iv  PREFACE 

We  are  indebted  to  the  Reformed  History  of  Westmoreland 
Classis,  to  B.  F.  Vogle,  Esq.,  of  the  Westmoreland  Democrat, 
and  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer,  secretary  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  for 
valuable  information  ;  and  we  cheerfully  acknowledge  the  kind 
assistance  of  the  brethren  of  the  Conference.  We  have  made 
some  changes  and  additions  in  this  new  edition  ;  have  added  the 
history  of  one  church,  and  the  biographies  of  nine  pastors,  and 
also  supplementary  biographies  of  Revs.  G.  A.  Bruegel,  W.  A. 
C.  Mueller  and  J.  A.  Waters,  and  the  pictures  of  seven 
churches,    three  parsonages  and  thirteen  pastors. 

We  have  endeavored  to  give  as  accurate  a  history  of  our  51 
congregations  as  possible  ;  yet,  with  all  our  pains-taking,  there 
will,  no  doubt,  be  omissions  and  mistakes  found  in  our  work 

The  biographies  of  our  100  pastors  are  necessarily  short. 
We  adopted  the  rule  to  repeat  nothing  in  the  biography  already 
stated  in  the  history.  Hoping  our  work  may  be  acceptable  and 
profitable  to  our  readers,  we  now  present  it  to  the  pastors  and 
churches  of  the  Southern  Conference  and  to  all  others  who  are 
interested  in  the  history  and  development  of  our  church. 

W.  F.  Ulery. 
Greensburg,  Penn'a.,  August,  1903. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


HISTORY. 

PAGES. 

Preface iii 

Table  of  contents v 

List  of  illustrations x 

Introduction xiii 

Errata xv 

Oedication xvi 

History  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod 1-24 

Southern  Conference  of  Pittsburg  Synod 25-30 

Greensburg  Seminary , 31-40 

Early  History  of  the  Lutheran  Church 40-46 

First  Church.   Greensburg,  Pa 47-60 

Harrold's — Old  Zion — Hempfield  township 61-70 

Brush  Creek  Church 70-84 

Jacob's  Church,  German  Township,  Fayette  county 84-96 

St.  Paul's,  Ptidge 96-106 

St.  John's,  Boquet 107-116 

St.  John's — Kintigh's — Mt.  Pleasant  Township 116-122 

Zion's,  East  Huntingdon  Township 123-127 

Good  Hope,   Fayette  county 127-135 

Mt.  Zion,  Donegal 135-146 

St.  James',  Ligonier 146-157 

Hope — Hoffman's — South  Huntingdon  township 157-166 

St.  Paul's — Seanor's — Hempfield  township 166-176 

St.  James'— Yorkey's— Bell  township 176-185 

St.  James',  Youngstown 185-193 

Emanuel's— Hill's— Export 193-200 

Zion,  Greensburg 200-211 

Christ  Church,  West  Xewton 211-218 

Holy  Trinity,    Adamsburg 219-224 

Salem,  Delmont 225-232 

Zion's,  Johnstown 233-237 

V 


VI  TABLE    OF  CONTENTS. 

St.  Paul's,  Franklin,  Donegal  township 238-244 

St.  John's,  Spring  Hill,  Fayette  county 244-248 

Fenelton  Church,  Salem  township 248-251 

St.  James',  Altoona 252-255 

Holy  Trinity,  Latrobe 255-260 

St.  John's,  Connellsville 261-264 

Holy  Trinity,  Irwin 265-268 

Christ  Church,   Chalk  Hill 269-270 

St.  John's,  Saltsburg 270-275 

Bethel,  Cook  township 276-278 

Holy  Trinity,  Mt.  Pleasant 279-281 

Zion's  Memorial  Church,  Jumonville 282-283 

Holy  Trinity,  Derry  Station 283-288 

St.  Paul's,  Uniontown 288-294 

Zion's,  Harrison  City 204-2*^7 

Christ  Church,  Jeannette 297-300 

St.  Paul's,  Darlington r'00-302 

Holy  Trinity,  Jeannette 302-306 

St.  Paul's,  Scottdale 306-310 

St.  Andrew's,  Avonmore 310-311 

Unity,  Manor  Station 312-314 

Penn,  Penn  Station 314-316 

St.  Luke's,  Melrose,  Florida 317-318 

Zion's,  Bradenville 318-319 

St.  Paul's,   Morgantown 320-323 

Trinity,  Cheat  Haven 324-326 

St.  Paul's,  New  Kensington 326-327 

St.  Mark's,  Arona 327-328 

St.  Luke's,  Youngwood 328-329 

Trinity,  Vandergrift  Heights 330 

Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Verona,  Penn'a 430 

Churches  not  connected  with  Conference 331-332 

BIOGRAPHY. 

Baker,  Isaac  0.  P 343-345 

Baker,  IsaacOliver 417 


TABI.B  OF   CONTENTS.  Vll 

Baker,  E.  L 372 

Bartholomew,  A.  H 377 

Bauer.  Wm.  E 373 

Bauman,  J.  A 373-374 

Beck,  Willis 418 

Beistel,  Frank  S 374-375 

Boord,  J.  A 375-376 

Bruegel,  Gustav  Adolph 419 

Christy,  V.  B 378 

Diener,  George  J 379 

Dietz,  George 379-380 

Doerr,  Philip 380-384 

Dunn,  Jesse 381 

Eyster,  Michael 341-342 

Emery,  W.   S 368-359 

Earhart,   David 381-383 

Erdmann,  Hugo  R 383 

Focht,  Joseph  R 365-366 

Garver,  Daniel 347-348 

Gilbert,  H.  S. 431 

Glasow,  Paal  F.  A 361-363 

Gaumer,  George 369-370 

Glenn,  Joseph  0 388-384 

Gongaware,  George  J 384 

Groff,  J.  R 385 

Hersh,  Charles  H 343 

Harkey,  S.  L-,  D.  D 370-372 

Hankey,  B.  F 385 

Heist,  W.  S 385-386 

Hemsath,  Charles  H 386 

Herbster,  S.  K 387 

Holloway,  C.  L 387-388 

Kemerer,  Duncan  McVickor 420 

Kinnard,  A.  H 366 

Kowala,  John 367 

Kline,  J.  H 388 


Vlll  TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 

PACKS. 

Kohler,  F.  W 389 

Kunzman,  J.  C,  D.  D 389-390 

Lambert.  Allen  William 421 

Lawson,  Samuel  B 346-347 

Lemcke,  H.   J.  H 367-368 

Luetge.  Anton  Ulrich 333-334 

Lund,  E.  G.,  D.  J) 390-.391 

McMurry,  H.  L 391 

Mechling,  Jonas 348-350 

Mechling,  G-W.,  D.  D 391-392 

Melhorn,  John  K  422 

Michael,  D.  VV 394 

Miller,  W.  J 392-393 

Miller,  Daniel  Dawson... 424 

Vlueller,   Wm.  A.  C 425 

Myejs,  J.  W 394 

Pearch,  L.  0 395 

Peschau,  F.  W.  E.,  D.  D 395-396 

Pflueger,   A.  P 396 

Plitt,  Joim  K 363-364 

Potts,  A.  D..  Ph.  D.,  F.  S.  Sc 396-397 

Reed,  E.  L 397-398 

Reed,  Luther  D '. 426 

Rosenbaum,  R.  G 398 

Roth,  J.  D 399 

Ruff,  G.  G 399-400 

Rugan,  John 350-351 

Rupp,  .J.  C.  F 400-401 

iSarver,  J.,  D.  D 401-402 

Stauch,  John 336-338 

Steck,  JohnM 335-336 

Steck,  Michael  J 338-341 

Seaman,  Charles  S 357-358 

Seaman,  G.  S 403 

Scheffer,  J.  A •. 402-403 

Singer,  Jacob 352 


TABXK   OF   CONTENTS.  IX 

PAGES. 

Smith,  Enoch 360-361 

Smith,  J.  L.,  D.  D 403-404 

Spiggle,  George  W 427 

Stouffer,  Samuel 405-406 

Strauss,  A.  M 404-405 

Suter,  John  J  - 354-355 

Swickard,  W.  E 405 

Titzel,  George  E. 359-  360 

Trabert,  E  A.  406 

Ulery,  Christian  D 345-846 

Ulery,  Wm.  F 406-407 

Valentine,  M.,  I).  D.,  LL.D. 407-408 

Wallace,  Ira  M 408 

Waters,  A.  H 409-410 

Waters,   J.  A 410 

Welfley,  John. 364-365 

Wilson,  W.  O.,  D.  D 410-411 

Wismer,  I.  K 411-412 

Worley,  Daniel.. 355-357 

Wynn.  W.  H.,  D.  D 412 

Yeisley,  Wilson 412-413 

Yetter,  Aaron 368 

Yount,  A,  L.,  D.  D 413-414 

Zuber,  W.  H 414 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Between  Pages, 

Baker,  Isaac  O.  P • 152-153 

Baker,  E.  % 152-153 

Bassler,  G 8-9 

Bauer,  Wm.  K 40-41 

Beiitel,  Frank  S 40-41 

Boord,  J.  A 40-41 

Bert,  O.  F.  H 40-41 

Bruegel,  G.  A 152-153 

Bartholomew,  A.  H 152-153 

Christy,  V.  B 280  281 

Diener,  George  J 136  137 

Doerr,  Philip 152-153 

Dunn,  Jesse 40-41 

Edwards.  Eeola  R 40-41 

Emery,  W.  fc; 136-137 

Earhart,  David 152-153 

Erdman,  Hugo  R 168-169 

Glenn,  Joseph  O 136-137 

Gongaware,  George  J 120-121 

Griffith,  W.  A 40-41 

Groff,  J.  R 280-281 

Hammer,  E.  0 152-153 

Harkey,  S.  E • 24-25 

Hankev,  B.  F 280-281 

Hemsath,  Charles  H 152-153 

Herbster,  S.  K 152-153 

Hoch,  J.  C 40-41 

Keck,  L 40-41 

Kepple,  Mary  E-  B 40-41 

Kunzman,  J.  C.  D.  D 344-345 

Eemcke,    H.  J.  H 152-153 

Eund,  E.  G.,D.  D 40-41 

McMurry,  H.  E = 120-121 

Mechling,  Jonas 152-1 53 

Mechling,  G.  W.,  D.  D 344-345 

Michael,  D.  W 152-153 

Miller,  W.  J 120-121 

Passavant,  W.  A.,   D.  D 8-9 

Pearch,  E.  0 152-153 

Peschau,  F.  W.  E.,  D.  D 24-25 

X 


I<IST    OF   II^LUSTRATIONS.  XI 

Between  Pages. 

Pflueger,  A.  P 280-281 

Plitt.  John  K 24-25 

Potts,  A.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  F.  S.  Sc 40-41 

Reed,  E.  L 152-153 

Ritter,  J.  H 152-153 

Rosenbaum,  R.  G 344-345 

Ruff,  G.  G 152-153 

Rugh,  John 40-41 

Rupp,  J.  C.   F 136-137 

Sarver,  J.,   D.  D •. 40-41 

Scheffer,  J.  A 280-281 

Seaman,  Charles  S 40-41 

Seaman,  George  S 40-41 

Smith,  Enoch 152-153 

Smith,  J.  L.,  D.  D 168-169 

Stanch,  John 152-153 

Steck,  Michael  J 8-9 

Strauss,  A.   M 280-281 

Swickard,  W.  R 40-41 

Telleen,  J.,  D.  D 280-281 

Titzel,   George  E 136-137 

Ulery,  Christian  D 145-146 

Ulery,  Catherine 40-41 

Ulery,  Wm.  F Frontispiece 

Valentine,  M.  D.,  D.  1^1..  D 264-265 

Waters,  A.  H 8-9 

Waters,  J.  A a, 120-121 

Wilson,  W.  O.,  D.  D 152-153 

Wallace,  Ira  M.,  Wismer,   I.  K 40-41 

Yeisley,  Wilson 136-137 

Yount,  A.  Iv.,  D.  D 24-25 

Zuber,  W.  H 344-345 

Michael  Eyster,    Daniel  D.  Miller,  Wm.  A.  C.  Mueller 

and  G.  W.  Spiggle 184 

John  Welfley,  John  Rugan,  Daniel  Garver,  John  W.  Myers 

and     G.    L.    Lohmann 248 

Isaac  O.  Baker,   D.   M.  Kemerer,   J.  K.   Melhorn,   Willis 

Beck  and  W.  A.  Lambert 296 

L.  D.  Reed,  N.  P.  Anseen  and  Paul  F.  A.   Glasow 312 

H.  S.  Gilbert 328 


Xii  LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Between  Pages. 
CHURCHES,    PARSONAGES,    ETC. 

Map  of  Conference Frontispiece 

Pittsburg  Synod  and  General  Council VIII-IX 

Greensburg  Seminary,   Jacob's  Ch. ,  Zion's,  Johnstown...  168-169 

First  Church,  Greensburg,  Parsonage  and  Organ 56-57 

Harrold's — "Old  Zion" — old  and  new  churches 136-137 

Brush  Creek  Church  and  Cemetery 72-73 

St.  Paul's,  Ridge,  and  parsonage 72-73 

St.  John's,  Boquet 200-201 

St.  John's,  Kintigh's 104-105 

Zion's,  East  Huntingdon  Township 216-217 

Mt.  Zion,  Donegal 168-169 

St.  James',  lyigonier,    [an   error]    St.  Paul's,    Scottdale  264-265 

St.  James,  Ligonier,  and  Parsonage 312-313 

St.  Paul's-Seanor's-Hempfield  Township 136-137 

St.  James,  Youngstown;  ttalem,  Delmont 232  233 

Zion,  Greensburg,  and  parsonage 200-201 

Christ  Church,  West  Newton. 216-217 

St.  Paul's,  Franklin,    Donegal  Township 216-217 

St.  John's,  Spring  Hill,  Fayette  County 344-248 

St.  James',  Altoona,  and  Chancel 200-201 

Holy  Trinit}',  I^atrobe,  and  Parsonage 232-233 

Holy  Trinity,  Irwin;    St.  PauKs,  Uniontown 264-265 

Christfs  Church,  Chalk  Hill 216-217 

Zion's  Memorial  Church,    Jumonville_ 200-201 

Holy  Trinity,  Mt.  Pleasant;  Zion's,  Harrison  City 104-105 

Melrose,  Florida,  Holy  Trinity,  Jeannette 216-217 

Penn,  Penn  Station ' '..'280-281 

St.  Paul's,  Morgantown;  Trinity,    Cheat  Haven 104-105 

Holy  Trinity,  Adamsburg,  Brush  Creek  parsonage 312 

Hope— Hoffman's  Church 248 

St.  John's,   Saltsburg;    Holy  Trinity,   Derr>,  and  Derr)^ 

parsonage 296 

St.  Paul's,  New  Kensington,  Trinity,  Verona 328 

Salem,  Swedish  Church,  Greensburg 328 

St.  John's  Church  and  Parsonge,  Connellsville  248 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  writing  and  preservation  of  the  history  of  the  various 
departments  of  human  life,  are  important  beyond  what  is  often 
appreciated.  In  no  sphere  of  hving  is  this  more  essential  than 
in  the  religious.  It  was  with  this  thought  in  view  that  the 
Southern  Conference  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church  authorized  the  preparation,  under  its  auspices, 
of  the  history  of  the  Lutheran  churches  within  its  territory. 
Moved  by  the  same  important  consideration,  the  Rev.  Wm.  F. 
Ulery,  at  the  request  of  the  Conference,  and  as  a  pure  labor  of 
love,  undertook  the  arduous  task  of  gathering  the  material,  and 
writing  the  history  contemplated,  and  then  acted  as  Editor-in- 
chief  in  getting  the  work  through  the  press.  Only  those  who 
have  accomplished  similar  tasks,  or  have  been  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  the  process,  as  has  the  writer,  can  fully  appreci- 
ate the  labors  and  difficulties  involved.  Only  painstaking  and 
untiring  industry,  such  as  has  always  characterized  the  author, 
can  hope  to  attain  anything  like  success  in  such  an  effort.  How 
well  he  has  succeeded,  the  church,  in  this  part  of  Pennsylvania, 
we  think,  will  not  be  long  in  finding  out,  or  slow  in  acknowledg- 
ing. That  errors  in  dates,  omissions  even  of  important  facts, 
shortcomings  and  possible  inaccuracies  in  the  forms  of  expression, 
and  tiresome  repetitions  of  details,  should  occur  in  a  work  of  this 
kind,  is  to  be  expected,  at  least  to  a  limited  degree,  and  such  the 
reader  will  doubtless  discover,  even  beyond  the  number  noted  by 
the  publishers  on  the  page  of  "Errata;"  but  it  is  hoped  that 
these  will  not  detract  materially  from  the  value  of  the  work  as  a 
record  of  the  organization  and  progress  of  our  Lutheran  congre- 
gations in  Westmoreland  and  adjacent  counties,  and  of  the  ordi- 

xiii 


xiv  INTRODUCTION. 

nation,  life  and  labors  of  their  pastors,  as  well  as  a  story  of  the 
progress  of  the  synod  to  which  nearly  all  the  pastors  and  churches 
have  belonged,  and  the  literary  institution  in  which  some  of  the 
latter  received  their  early  training. 

The  half-tone  cuts  of  the  General  Council,  assembled  at 
Lima,  Ohio,  in  1901,  with  Bishop  von  Scheele,  the  distinguished 
visitor  from  the  Swedish  church,  in  its  midst ;  of  the  Pittsburg 
Synod,  from  a  portrait  taken  at  Rochester,  Pa.,  in  1897  >  of  most 
of  the  pastors  and  churches,  and  many  of  the  parsonages  within 
the  Southern  Conference,  together  with  those  of  Greensburg 
Seminary,  its  faculty  and  board  of  trustees — over  140  in  all — 
serve  richly  to  ornament  the  work,  in  some  cases  exhibiting  to 
the  eye  the  evolution  in  church  life  and  progress,  which  has 
taken  place  during  the  century  past,  covered  by  the  history,  and 
in  general  serving  to  make  it  the  completest  work  of  the  kind  we 
have  yet  seen  attempted,  in  the  Lutheran  church — a  veritable 
picture  gallery,  which  cannot  fail  to  delight,  especially  the  people 
belonging  or  in  any  wise  related  to  the  persons  and  churches 
represented  therein. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  accorded  to  the  Conference  for 
its  thoughtful  provision  of  the  scheme  for  getting  up  the  work, 
but,  more  especially  to  the  faithful  compiler,  writer  and  editor, 
the  venerable  Rev.  Wm.  F.  Ulery.  We  bespeak  for  the  work  a 
ready  sale,  and  a  faithful  and  interested  reading,  especially 
among  the  people  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  and  of  the  Southern 
Conference  in  particular,  and  at  the  same  time  we  feel  that  it  will 
not  fail  to  elicit  much  attention  throughout  the  church  at  large. 

Fourteenth  Trinity  Week,  1902,  »       -r       tTz-wtt-vtia 

GREENSBURG,  Pa.  ^-     ^-      ^OUNT. 


ERRATA. 


On  page  io8  for  1786  read  1768  (Stanwix). 

"  112  for  1889  read  1879 — Manor  church. 

"  129  for  effected  read  affected — Good  Hope  church. 

"  142  for  successes  read  services — Donegal  church. 

"  144  for  1888  read  1898. 

"  153  tor  1897  read  1867 — Ligonier  church. 

"  157  for  handle  read  have      do  do 

"  162  for  George  Frick  read  Henry  Shupe — Hoffman's  ch. 

"  167  for  one  read  our — Seanor's  church. 

"  175  for  $7150  read  $1750  " 

"  178  for  1820  read  1802 — St.  James,  Bell  twp. 

"  229  for  1887  read  1877 — Salem  church. 

"  230  for  1887  read  1897        do         do 

246  for  1895  read  1865— St.  John's,  Spring  Hill. 

"  254  for  1 89 1  read  1899 — Altoona  church. 

"  264-265  cut  of  St.  James,  Ligonier,  is  an  error. 

"  286  for  1802  read  1892 — Derry  church. 

"  313  for  1 89 1  read  1901 — Unity  church.  Manor. 

"  317  for  1884  read  1894 — St.  L,uke's  church,  Melrose. 

"  337  for  Stacke's  read  Stark's — Stouch, 

"  380  for  Md.  Synod  read  Minn.  Synod — Doerr. 

"  398  for  Brady  wine  read  Brandonville. 

"  398  for  Jefferson  read  Clearfield  county. 

"  399  for  1883  read  1893-97. 

**  421  for  *'Miss  Cal.  Delo"  read  Mrs.  C.  A.  Delo. 

"  379  for  George  read  Gustav — Bruegel. 

"  410  for  1882  read  1879;  and  for   Pittsburg  Synod   read 

Ministerium  of  Pa. 

**  415  for  1800  read  1894 — Gilbert. 


XV 


DEDICATION. 


TO     THE     FOUNDERS    OF    THE    PITTSBURG    SYNOD 
OF  THE  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH 
THIS  VOLUME  IS  MOST  AFFECTION- 
ATELY   DEDICATED. 

(xvi) 


HISTORY 

OF  the; 

PITTSBURG  SYNOD  OF  THE   EVANGELICAL 
LUTHERAN   CHURCH, 


THE  foundations  of  this  Synod  were  laid  by  earnest  prayer 
and  in  implicit  faith  in  God.  On  August  27,  1844,  a 
meeting  of  five  brethren  was  held  in  the  study  of  Rev. 
Gottlieb  Bassler,  in  Butler,  Pa.,  for  prayer  and  mutual  con- 
sultation. After  an  hour  had  been  spent  in  devotion,  and  a 
free  and  confidential  interchange  of  views  had  been  enjoyed  on 
the  topic  that  was  the  burden  of  their  praj^ers  and  conversation, 
it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  the  preliminar}^  steps  should 
be  taken  to  organize  a  synod  in  the  interest  of  our  scattered 
lyUtheran  people  in  Western  Pennsylvania. 

A  meeting  of  all  ministers  and  churches,  who  were  interested 
in  this  movement,  was  called  on  the  i5tli  of  January,  1845,  ^^^ 
the  First  English  Evangelical  IvUtheran  church,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 
On  the  evening  of  the  14th  of  January,  eight  ministers  and  six 
delegates,  representing  26  congregations,  and  2,256  communi- 
cants, met  and  spent  most  of  the  time  in  devotional  services  and 
consultation.     The  business  of  the  next  day  was  then  announced. 

After  devotional  exercises,  held  at  9  o'clock  A.  M.,  the 
meeting  was  organized  by  electing  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  presi- 
dent,  and  Rev.   Gottlieb  Bassler,   secretary. 

The  pastors  present  were  :  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  cf  Greens- 
btirg,  representing  seven  congregations  ;  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant 
of  Pittsburg,  one  congregation  ;  Rev.  Gottlieb  Bassler  of  Zelie- 
nople.  Pa.,  five  congregations  ;  Rev.  G.  F.  Ehrenfeldt  of  Clarion, 
Pa.,  two  congregations;  Rev.  Abram  Weills  of  Ginger  Hill, 
Pa.,   two  congregations;  Rev.   Elihu    Rathbun  of  Mercer,   Pa., 


2  PITTSBURG   SYTfOD. 

three  congregations  ;  Rev.  Samuel  D.  Witt  of  ShfppenvilTe,  Pa., 
two  congregations;  Rev.  David  Earhart  of  Leechburg.  Pa., 
four  congregations. 

The  six  lay  delegates,  representing  the  principal  pari.shes,. 
were :  Jacob  S.  Steck  of  Greensburg ;  George  Weynian  ot 
Pittsburg ;  C.  S.  Passavant  of  Zelienople ;  James  Griffin  of 
Mercer ;  Frederick  Carsten  of  Scenery  Hill,  and  Joseph  Shoop 
of  Freeport. 

These  eight  ministers  and  six  laymen  were  the  founders  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod,  all  of  whom  are  dead  but  the  venerable 
Father,  David  Earhart,  now  of  Mt.  Washington,   Mo, 

In  assembly  met,  they  resolved  by  a  unanimous  vote  : 

1.  "That  it  is  the  deliberate  and  unanimous  opinion  that 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  in  the  western  counties  of 
Pennsylvania  loudly  calls   for  the  formation    of   a    new    synod. 

2.  "  That  a  committee  of  three  ministers  and  two  laymen 
be  appointed  to  propose  to  this  convention  a  plan  of  union  on 
which  we  may  nnite  to  form  a  synod  according  to  the  previous 
resolution." 

Revs.  Steck,  Passavant  and  Ehrenfeldt,  and  Bros.  Carsten 
and  Griffin  were  appointed  on  this  committee.  They  subsequently 
presented  the  following  report,  which  was  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  ministers  and  delegates  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  churches  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  being  pain- 
fully sensible  of  the  great  destitution  of  the  preached  Word  and 
Ordinances  of  the  Gospel  in  our  midst,  and  fully  persuaded  of 
the  necessity  of  uniting  our  efforts  for  their  supply,  hereby  form 
ourselves  into  a  synodical  body,  with  the  express  understanding 
that  each  minister  and  church  shall  be  at  perfect  liberty  to  sup- 
port such  literary,  theological  and  benevolent  institutions  as  may 
best  accord  with  their  own  views  of  duty ;  and,  also,  that  as  a 
synodical  body,  we  recognize  no  such  distinctions  as  Old  and  New 
Measures,  and  the  Synod  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  "  The 
Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church." 

The  second  convention  was  held  at  Shippenville,  Pa.,  be- 
ginning June  6,  1845.  The  same  officers  served  at  this  meeting, 
and  there  were  fourteen  ministers  and  ten  lay  delegates  present. 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  3 

A  constitution  was  adopted  for  the  government  of  the  Synod, 
and  the  territory  of  the  Synod  divided  into  conference  districts. 
This  fact  will  be  referred  to  later. 

The  missionarj'^  work  was  outlined,  a  missionary  system  in- 
augurated, and  the  work  given  a  good  beginning  by  the  election 
of  a  Missionary  President.  A  move  was  also  made  to  found  a 
Synodical  Academy.  The  officers  were  authorized  and  instructed 
to  procure  a  charter  and  a  seal,  with  an  appropriate  motto. 

At  the  third  meeting  of  the  Synod,  held  in  Greensburg,  in 
the  month  of  May,  1846,  it  adopted  the  charter,  which  had  been 
procured  by  the  officers,  and  thereafter  became  an  incorpo- 
rated body. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Act  of  Incorporation  : 
' '  An  Act  to  Incorporate  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 

Lutheran  Church. 

Section  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  in  Gen- 
eral Assembly  met,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of 
the  same :  That  the  present  members  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  and  their  successors,  shall  be 
and  are  hereby  created  and  declared  to  be  a  body  corporate,  by 
the  name,  style  and  title  of  "The  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,"  and  the  same  name  shall 
have  perfect,  real  succession,  and  shall  be  able  and  capable  in 
law  to  sue  and  be  sued  ;  plead  and  be  impleaded  in  courts  ot  law 
or  equity  in  this  State  or  elsewhere,  and  to  make  and  have  a 
common  seal  and  break  the  same  ;  to  break,  alter,  and  renew  it 
at  their  pleasure,  and,  also,  to  ordain  and  establish  such  laws 
and  ordinances  as  shall  be  necessary  and  proper  for  the  regulat- 
ing of  the  temi3oral  concerns  of  the  Synod,  for  promoting  reli- 
gion in  it ;  Provided,  They  be  not  repugnant  to  this  Act,  or  the 
laws  of  the  State. 

Section  2.  That  said  Synod  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  and  such  other  officers  as  may  be  deemed 
advisable  to  elect  for  the  time  being,  together  with  such  ministers 
of  the  gospel  and  la3'men  as  they  in  their  wisdom  and  prudence 
niav  from  time  to  time  admit  as  members  of  said  Synod. 


4  PITTSBURG   SYNOD. 

Section  3.  That  the  said  Synod  may  ami n ally  elect  a 
president,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  such  other  officers  as  may 
be  deemed  advisable,  for  the  time  being,  who  are  to  comply  with, 
such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by  said  Synod, 
Section  4.  That  said  S3niod,  and  their  successors,  by  the 
name  and  style  aforesaid,  shall  be  able  and  capable  in  law  to 
have,  take,  receive  and  hold  lands,  tenements,  results,  annuities 
and  other  hereditaments,  which  may  be  sold,  devised,  or  in  any 
waj'  convej^ed  to  said  Synod,  for  their  use,  or  in  trust  for  them  ; 
Provided,  That  said  corporation  shall  not,  at  any  time,  hold  or 
possess  propert}^  real,  personal  or  mixed,  exceeding  the  annual 
value  of  four  thousand  dollars. 

FINDLEY  PATTERSON, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
DANIEE  SHERWOOD, 

Speaker  of  the  Senate. 
Approved  the   i8th  day  of  April,    1846. 

FRANCIS    R.   SHUNK, 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  the  spring  of  1847,  S)niod  met  at  Leechburg,  Pa.  The 
leading  item  of  business  was  the  locating  of  the  Synodical  Acad- 
emy. After  much  discussion  it  was  finally  decided  to  locate  the 
school  at  lycechburg,  but,  after  the  adjournment  of  Synod,  this 
action  was  found  to  be  unsatisfactory  ;  hence  a  special  meeting- 
was  called  in  October  of  the  same  year,  at  Brush  Creek  church, 
at  which  the  action  of  the  Leechburg  meeting  was  reconsidered. 
Greensburg  was  then  selected  as  the  site  for  the  S>  nodical  Acad- 
emy. Eighteen  ministers  and  ten  laymen  were  present.  A  con- 
stitution for  congregations  was  also  discussed  and  adopted, 
with  the  following  preamble  as  a  testimony  of  the  Synod's  con- 
fessional basis  :  "We  receive  the  Augsburg  Confession,  the  great 
symbol  of  the  Reformation,   as  the  bond  of  our  union." 

In  1850,  in  answer  to  an  earnest  appeal,  the  Synod  sent  the 
Rev.  Gootlieb  Bassler  to  Canada  to  visit  and  minister  to  the 
neglected  Eutheran  peop'.e  in  Canada  West.  Soon  after  the 
return  of  Rev.  Bassler,  the  Synod  sent  Rev.  C.  P.  Diehl  as  a 
missionar}'   to  minister  to   those  need}^  people.     Others  followed 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  5 

as  soon  as  the  men  and  means  could  be  secured.  As  the  Synod 
was,  as  yet,  in  its  infancy,  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant  appealed  to 
the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  and  secured  their  co-operatiou 
and  financial  assistance  in  this  <.vork,  which  was  a  source  of  great 
encourag^ement. 

In  1853,  this  Synod  organized  the  Canada  Conference,  for 
the  Canada  mission  was  very  promising,  and  at  its  meeting  at 
Canton,  O. ,  in  1861,  when  there  were  55  names  on  the  clerical  roll, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  on  the  possibility  and  need 
of  organizing  a  Canada  Synod,  After  due  consideration  the 
committee  reported  the  following  resolutions  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  Canada  Conference  are 
hereby  authorized  to  form  themselves  into  a  synod,  and  that  they 
shall  be  dismissed  from  this  Synod  so  soon  as  such  an  organiza- 
tion is  effected. 

^^ Resolved,  That  the  following  regulations  be  adopted  by 
this  Synod  and  proposed  to  the  future  Canada  Synod  : 

( I . )  That  a  delegation  of  one  or  two  persons  be  appointed 
who  shall  attend  the  sessions  of  the  other  body,  and  shall  have  a 
seat  and  a  vote. 

(2.)  This  Synod  also  promises  to  continue  to  aid  the  Can- 
ada Synod  in  their  mission  work." 

This  was  done  for  a  number  of  years  until  the  Canada  Synod 
was  able  to  take  care  of  itself. 

When  the  Canada  brethren  withdrew,  this  Synod  had  still  46 
ministers  on  its  roll.  The  increase  was  then  rather  rapid,  and 
in  six  years  it  numbered  66  ministers.  When,  in  1867,  final 
action  was  taken  in  the  matter  of  our  union  with  the  General 
Council,  eleven  ministers  withdrew,  it  still  had  55  on  its  clerical 
roll,  and  its  communicants  numbered  almost  9,000.  The  Synod 
acquired  new  territory  as  well  as  pressed  forward  in  the  develop- 
ment of  its  own  immediate  field. 

In  1873,  Rev.  Prof.  H.  W.  Roth,  then  connected  with  Thiel 
College,  made  a  missionary  journey  to  Nova  Scotia,  at  the 
earnest  request  of  the  people,  much  in  need  of  pastoral  and  min- 
isterial care  and  services.  Dr.  Roth  did  a  good  work  in  opening 
that  field  to  our  Synod,  as  well  as  bringing  relief  and  comfort  to 


6  PITTSBURG  SYNOD. 

those  neglected  people.  In  the  same  j^ear,  missionaries  were  sent 
to  Nova  Scotia,  and  appropriations  made  from  our  trfaj.nry  to 
support  them,  and,  later  on,  the  pastors,  with  their  churches, who 
were  in  the  territory  before  we  began  our  work  there,  among 
whom  was  the  noble  Rev.  C.  E.  Ccssmann,  D.  D. ,  commonly 
called  "Father  Cossmann,"  united  with  our  Synod.  Some  25 
years  ago  the  Nova  Scotia  Conference  was  organized,  which  has 
all  the  rights  of  our  other  conferences.  It  now  numbers  six 
pastors,  some  20  congregations  and  2,201  communicants  In  the 
not  far  distant  future  we  will  doubtless  have  a  Nova  Scotia  synod. 

Between  the  years  of  1880  and  1890,  a  number  of  congrega- 
tions that  had  belonged  to  other  synods  were  received  into  this 
Synod,  among  these  were  some  of  those  in  Westmorela*''d  county 
which  had  originall)'  helped  to  organize  it,  but  afterwards  with- 
drew and  now  returned. 

The  work  of  the  Synod  has  extended  to  other  parts,  and  has 
been  greatly  enlarged.  It  has  been  well  said:  "The  entire 
period  of  the  synod's  life  has  been  made  up  of  eventful  years  of 
earnest  conflict,  faithful  labor,  constant  blessing  and  encouraging 
progress."  During  the  58  years  of  its  existence  369  ministers 
have  come  into  its  fellowship.  Of  these,  140  are  still  on  its  roll. 
It  has  210  congregations  and  nearly  29,000  communicants. 

The  three  leading  spirits  in  the  organization  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod  were  Revs.  Michael  J.  Steck,  W.  A.  Passavant  and 
Gottlieb  Bassler,  all  of  blessed  memory.  Rev.  M.  J.  Steck  was 
the  first  president  of  the  Synod.  He  died  in  1848,  and  his  death 
was  a  serious  loss  to  the  Synod  at  that  time,  it  having  been  so 
recently  organized.  Twenty  years  later  Rev.  Gottlieb  Bassler 
was  taken  away,  and  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant  followed  in  1894. 
Passavant  and  Bassler  have  been  household  words  in  the  Synod 
ever  since  the  writer  has  been  a  member  of  it.  For  many  years 
their  presence  and  counsel  seemed  indispensable.  They  gave 
strength  and  character  to  the  synod  and  left  their  impress  upon 
it.  They  were  also  helpful  to  each  other  in  counsel  and  mutual 
sympathy,  as  well  as  in  active  co-operation  and  labor.  They 
were  really  complementary  to  each  other,  like  L,uther  and 
Melanchton.     One  was  full  of  fervor  and  enthusiasm  ;  the  other 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  7 

was  calm  and  considerate.  The  one  stood  for  bold  plans  and 
aj^gressive  work ;  the  other  for  wise  counsel  and  matchless 
executive  ability.  They  were  a  grand  fellowship,  and  did  a 
grand  work,  and  did  it  in  beautiful  and  loving  harmony.  As 
Dr.  Yount  has  well  said  in  his  article  contributed  to  the  Lutheran 
Cyclopedia  ; 

"It  is  not  unjust  to  other  excellent  men  who  entered  the 
Synod  at  its  beginning,  or  from  time  to  time  came  into  it,  to  say 
that  the  leading  spirit  was  the  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D. , 
who,  with  Rev.  G.  Bassler,  both  of  blessed  memory,  largely 
shaped  the  policj^  of  the  synod's  life  from  the  beginning  and 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  half  centurj^  of    its  existence." 

The  Synod,  by  reason  ot  its  methods  and  agencies,  largely 
the  product  of  Passavant' s  fertile  brain,  is  honorably  known  as 
the  "Missionary  S>nod."  The  great  extension  of  missionary 
operations  of  the  Synod,  required  the  most  through  organiza- 
tion of  its  resources.  The  system  of  synodical  apportionment, 
now  widely  used,  was  first  introduced  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

It  has  been  the  policy  of  this  synod  to  go  or  send  relief 
wherever  there  was  need,  not  already  provided  for,  when  a 
proper  call  has  come.  On  this  principle  work  has  been  done,  or 
at  least  started,  in  towns  and  cities  outside  of  its  proper  bounds, 
where  now  there  are  prosperous  congregations.  It  has  quite  a 
number  of  strong  and  flourishing  congregations  where  once  it 
had  only  feeble  and  struggling  missions.  It  is  now  assisting,  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent,  some  25  missions,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$10,000,  not  counting  what  it  is  doing  for  several  parishes  which 
are,  for  the  time  being,  somewhat  disabled. 

The  Synod  has  also  engaged  in  educational  work  from  the 
beginning  of  its  history,  At  it.-,  second  convention,  held  in  Ship- 
penville.  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  in  June,  1845,  as  heretofore  stated, 
a  proposition  was  made  and  acted  on,  to  establish  a  Synodical 
Academy.  Rev.  G.  Bassler  was  elected  principal,  under  whose 
care  it  was  carried  on  successfully  for  three  years,  at  Zelienople, 
Butler  county,  Pa.  In  the  autumn  of  1848  it  was  removed  to 
Greensburg  and  opened  under  promising  auspices,  and  continued 
till  the  fall  of    C850,  when,  on  account  of  peculiar  circumstances, 


8  PITTSBUBG   SYISrOD-. 

the  death  of  some  of  its  mnin  supporters,  atid  the  financial  em- 
barrassment of  the  Synod,  it  was  closed  for  the  time  being.  Biit^ 
in  1866,  b}'  the  generosity  of  A.  Louis  Thiel,  Esq.,  Thiel  Hall 
was  opened  at  Phillipsburg,  now  Monaca,  Pa.,  and  a  prosperous 
school  was  maintained  there  till  1870,  when  Thiel  College  was 
organized  out  of  this  school.  In  187  r  it  was  removed  to  Green- 
ville, Pa.,  where  it  has  been  maintained,  with  a  fair  measure  of 
success,  till  the  present.  It  now  has  a  history  of  thirty  years 
behind  it.  Over  1,000  young  men  and  women  have  come  to  its 
instructions,  and  270  have  received  the  bachelor's  degree  at  its 
shrine.  Of  these  about  100  are  in  the  holy  ministry,  or  are  in 
the  course  of  preparation  for  it.  Last  year's  catalogue  reports 
150  students.  The  college  is  managed^by  a  Board  of  Trustees, 
elected  by  the  Synod. 

The  institution  owns  a  beautiful  and  excellent  piece  of  land 
in  the  edge  of  the  town  of  Greenville,  twenty  acres  of  which  are 
set  apart  for  buildings  and  a  campus.  It  has  four  good  buildings, 
three  of  which  are  of  brick  and  one  frame — the  Greenville  Hall, 
a  dormitory  for  boys  ;  Daily  Hall,  a  dormitor)^  for  girls  ;  Memo- 
rial Hall,  containing  a  chapel  and  recitation  rooms,  and  the 
Boarding  Hall,  which  provides  cheap  boarding  for  the  students. 
These  buildings  are  worth  at  least  $50,000,  and  the  endowment, 
which  was,  in  a  large  measure,  the  gift  of  A.  Lonis  Thiel,  is 
about  $60,000.  The  Bassler  Professorship  of  Biblical  Literature 
and  Church  History,   has  onl}-  partly  been  completed. 

The  College  has  had  four  ^.residents,  including  the  present 
incumbent:  Prof.  H.  W.  Roth,  D.  D.,  1 874-1 887  ;  Prof.  W.  A. 
Beates,  1887-1890;  Prof.  F.  A.  Muhlenberg,  D.  D.,  LL-  D., 
1890-1893,    and   Prof.  T.   B.  Roth,   D.    D.,  1893  to  the  present. 

The  Synod  has  supported,  mostly  at  the  college,  131  can- 
didates for  the  ministry,  at  a  cost  of  over  $60,000,  during  the 
56  years  of  its   history. 

There  are  several  benevolent  institutions  located  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Synod,  though  not  in  any  official  relation  with  it) 
which  yet  desLrvs  special  mention  in  its  histoiy  :  These  are  the 
Passavant  Memorial  Hospital,  formerly  known  as  the  Pittsburg 
Infirmarj^,  the  Orphan's  Home  and  Farm  School,  at  Zelienople, 


GOTTLIEB  BASSLER 


MK'IIAKL  .1.  STl-X'K. 


^~ 


r. 


m 


f 


W.  A.  I'ASSAVANT,  I).  1). 


ASA  }I.  WATERS. 


SOUTHERN    CONFKRKNCE.  9 

Pa.,  and  the  Home  for  Epileptics,  at  Rochester,  Pa.,  under  the 
control  of  "The  Institution  of  Protestant  Deaconesses  of  the  county 
of  Allegheny,  Pa."  They  are  in  a  prosperous  condition  and 
doing  much  good.  All  these  were  organized  by  the  late  Dr. 
Passavant,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  the 
founder  of  Thitl  College.  The  Ministerial  Rehef  Association, 
which  ^was  organized  some  twelve  years  ago,  and  has  brought 
comfort  and  help  to  not  a  few  of  our  aged  pastors  and  their 
families,  is  one  of  the  Synod's  most  worthy  benevolences.  It  is 
devoutly  hoped  that  its  power  and  sphere  of  influence  for  good 
may  be  greatly  enlarged. 

Theie  is  another  synod  bearing  our  name,  and  claiming  our 
history,  which  deserves  a  passing  notice  here.  We  may  properly 
ask  :  On  what  grounds  is  the  claim  made,  and  b}'^  what  argu- 
ments is  it  justified?  Dr.  Sch warm,  who  was  president  of  this 
Pittsburg  Synod  No.  2  in  1898,  says  in  an  article  contributed  to 
the  Lutheran  Cyclopedia  :  "  The  minority  withdrew  because  of 
unconstitutionality  of  actions  and  change  of  doctrinal  basis." 
The  writer  does  not  know  to  what  this  refers.  The  doctrinal 
basis  of  the  synod  is  stated  in  the  preamble  of  the  Constitution, 
as  follows  :  ' '  We  acknowledge  Jesus  Christ  the  supreme  and  only 
head  of  the  church,  and  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  as  the  sufficient  and  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice." 
There  never  has  been  any  change  of  this  basis,  nor  could 
there  ever  be.  It  is  made  prominent  in  our  symbols,  and  we 
have  made  it  a  part  of  the  first  article  in  the  Constitution.  The 
Constitution  at  that  time  contained  no  other  article  that  treated 
on  doctrine.  It  is,  therefore,  difficult  to  see  how  a  change  on 
doctrine,  and  a  consequent  violation  of  the  Constitution,  could 
have  taken  place. 

The  Augsburg  Confession,  simple  and  unaltered,  was  the 
Synod's  confessicni  from  the  beginning,  though  it  was  not  spe- 
ciall}'  mentioned  in  the  Constitution.  Its  adherence  to  the 
Augsburg  Confession  was  clearl}^  implied,  as  the  future  actions  of 
the  synod  manifestly  prove.  No  synod  can  truthfully  call  itself 
a  lyUtheran  synod  if  it  does  not  acknowledge  the  Augsburg  Con- 
iessic;n.     But   such  was  the  title  and  claim  of  this  synod.     It 


lO  PITTSBURG    SYNOD. 

was  organized  as  an  independent  body  it  is  true,  and  as  such  it 
was  chartered.  It  continued  to  exist  in  this  attitude  as  regards 
all  general  bodies,  for  a  number  of  years.  It  was  alwaj's  a  con- 
ser\^ative  Lutheran  body  disclaiming  all  fellowship  with  the 
terms  and  matter  of  old  and  new  measures. 

The  leading  men  of  the  Synod  were  not  in  accord  with  the 
doctrinal  position  of  the  General  Synod,  as  set  forth  by  its 
authors  and  defenders,  and  never  endorsed  Dr.  S.  S.  Schmucker's 
acknowledgment  of  the  Augsburg  Confession  as  "substan- 
tially  correct." 

As  already  mentioned  elsewhere,  in  the  constitution  adopted 
and  recommended  for  the  use  of  congregations,  in  1847,  the 
same  declaration,  as  to  the  faith,  is  substantially  reiter£:ted. 

Several  unsuccessful  attempts  were  made  by  some  of  the 
members  of  the  Synod  to  unite  with  the  General  vSynod,  and 
when  the  move  was  finally  successful,  at  the  meeting  in  Prospect, 
Pa.,  in  1852,  it  was  brought  about  under  peculiar  circumstances. 
The  resolution  was  introduced  in  connection  with  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  the  Parent  Education  Society,  and  at  a  closing 
session  of  the  synod,  after  a  number  of  the  members  had  left  for 
home.  Of  the  46  members  on  the  roll  at  the  time  of  the  con- 
vention, 42  were  present,  while  only  29  were  in  the  house  to 
vote  on  this  important  question — 19  ministers  and  10  lay  dele- 
gates. Ten  ministers  and  seven  lay  delegates  voted  for  the  reso- 
lution, and  nine  ministers  and  three  lay  delegates  against  it. 
This  action  was  carried  throitgh  by  a  minority  of  the  synod. 
But  to  show  its  mind  on  the  doctrines  of  the  Confession,  the  fol- 
lowing action  was  taken  as  a  guide  to  our  delegates  in  the 
matter  of  faith  : 

^'Resolved.  That,  whereas,  the  General  Synod,  according  to 
Section  2  of  Article  III,  of  its  Constittition,  does  not  arrogate  to 
it.self  the  power  to  introdtice  any  alteration  in  matters  pertaining 
to  the  faith  of  the  church,  the  above  action  be  in  nowise  re- 
garded as  an  approval  of  the  construction  which  has  been  put 
upon  any  of  its  writings,  recommendations  or  acts,  as  though  it 
had  rejected  any  part  of  the  faith  of  the  church  as  contained  in 
the  Augsburg  Confession." 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  II 

In  reply  to  this  action  the  chairman  of  the  delegation  to  the 
General  Synod  states  in  his  report,  made  at  the  next  meeting  of 
Svnod :  "No  expression  of  our  views,  or  pledges  of  doctrine, 
were  demanded,  nor  any  appraval,  let  or  hindrance  of  any  doc- 
trine or  practice  that  obtained  in  our  synod." 

At  its  meeting  in  Zelienople  Pa.,  in  1856,  the  most  memo- 
rable testimony  was  psssed,  with  great  unanimity,  as  a  bond  of 
union  and  as  a  defence  of  our  venerable  Confession.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  language  : 

1.  '^Resolved,  That  by  the  Augsburg  Confession  we  mean 
that  document  which  was  penned  by  Melauchton,  with  the 
advice,  aid  and  concurrence  of  Luther,  and  other  great  evangel- 
ical theologians,  and  presented  by  the  Protestant  Princes  and 
Free  Cities  of  Germany,  at  the  Diet  of  Augsburg  in  1530. 

2.  '-Resolved,  That  while  the  basis  of  the  General  Synod 
has  allowed  of  diversity  in  regard  to  some  part  of  the  Confes- 
sion, that  basis  never  was  designed  to  imply  the  right  to  alter, 
amend  or  curtail  the  Confession  itself. 

3.  '"Resolved,  That  while  we,  as  a  synod,  rest  on  the  Word 
of  God  as  the  sole  authority  in  the  matters  of  faith,  we  declare 
that,  in  our  judgment,  the  Augsburg  Confession  properly  inter- 
preted, is  in  perfect  consistence  with  this  our  testimony,  and 
with  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

4.  '^ Resolved,  That  now,  as  we  have  ever  done,  we  regard 
the  Augsburg  Confession  lovingly  and  reverently  as  the  good  con- 
fession of  our  fathers  witnessed  before  heaven,  earth  and  hell." 

This  testimony  was  adopted  in  the  very  presence  of  the 
"  Definite  Platform,"  which  was  being  industriously  circulated 
among  the  members  of  synod  by  several  of  the  ministers  It 
declares  several  things,  and  declares  them  with  clearness  and 
peculiar  force : 

(i.)  That  this  synod  confesses  the  genuine  unaltered 
Augsburg    Confession. 

(2.)  That  it  declares  that  no  man,  nor  body  of  men,  has 
the  right  to  alter,  amend,  or  curtail  it. 

(3.)  That  it  believes  that  the  teachings  of  this  Confession, 
when  rightly  interpreted,  are  in  accord  with  God's  Word. 


12  PITTSBURG  SYNOD. 

(4.)  It  declares  the  Synod's  loving  and  abiding- adherence 
to  this  Confession. 

We  may  here  add  that  the  "  Fundamental  Principles,"  dic- 
tated by  the  same  great  heart,  and  written  by  the  same  hand> 
teach  the  same  truths  taught  in  this  testimony. 

For  ten  years  the  circulation  and  discus.sion  of  the  "  Definite 
Platform"  had  disturbed  and"  rent  the  congregations,  and  had 
shaken  the  doctrinal  basis  of  our  beloved  church  to  its  very 
foundation. 

Those  who  were  here  then,  and  were  engaged  in  the  work 
of  the  church,  especially  as  ministers,  know  what  that  civil  war 
in  our  congregations  meant.  We  had  many  a  sharp  controversy 
with  brethren  of  our  own  church,  and  we  know  how  bitter  the 
feeling  had  become,  and  how  unchristian-like  a  great  part  of  this 
controversy  was,  even  in  the  religious  press  in  articles  emanating 
from  Christian  ministers. 

When,  in  1866,  the  crisis  came  that  was  the  legitimate  out- 
growth of  the  Platform  movement,  this  synod  was,  in  a  good 
measure  at  least,  prepared  to  meet  it,  and  stand  up  for  the  pure 
faith.  When  the  actions  of  the  General  Synod  at  York,  Pa.,  in 
1864,  and  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  in  1866,  were  considered  in  all 
their  far-reaching  influences,  at  its  meeting  in  Rochester,  Pa. ,  in 
1866,  it  was  prepared  to  take  its  place  with  the  conservative  men 
of  our  dear  church. 

At  York,  Pa.,  the  General  Synod  received  the  Frankean 
Synod  into  its  fellowship.  Against  this  action  the  delegates  of 
the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  of  the  New  York  Ministerium 
and  of  the  Pittsburg  Sjmod,  as  well  as  several  other  synods,  pro- 
tested, because  the  Frankean  Synod  was  not  a  Lutheran  Synod, 
having  denied  the  Augsburg  Confession  in  its  organization,  and 
having  never  since  adopted  it. 

When  a  majority  of  the  General  Synod  persisted  in  this 
action  the  delegates  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  with- 
drew. This  withdrawal,  however,  was  no  violation  on  their 
part  of  their  proper  relations  to  the  General  Synod,  as  was 
claimed  by  the  president  of  that  body. 

At  the  time  of  the  reunion  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  13 

vania,  in  1853,  it  was  resolved  by  the  former  body  that  "Should 
the  General  Synod  violate  its  constitution  and  require  ot  our 
synod  assent  to  anything  conflicting  with  the  old  and  long  estab- 
lished faith  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  then  our  dele- 
gates are  hereby  required  to  protest  against  such  action,  to 
withdraw  from  its  sessions  and  report  to  this  body. 

This  action  was  reported  to  the  General  Synod,  and  the  del- 
egates of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  were  received  with 
this  condition  at  Winchester,  Va.,  in  1853.  When,  however,  the 
delegates  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  presented  their  cre- 
dentials at  Fort  Wayne,  in  1866,  Dr.  Sprecher,  the  president  of 
the  General  Synod,  refused  to  acknowledge  them  and  by  an  arbi- 
trary decision  excluded  the  delegation  from  the  organization,  and 
the  majority  of  that  body  sustained  him  in  his  decision. 

A  strong  protest  was  filed  against  this  action,  but  it  was  of 
no  avail,  hence  the  division.  That  the  majority  of  the  General 
Synod  were  convinced,  when  it  was  too  late,  that  a  serious  mis- 
take had  been  made  was  manifest,  from  the  fact  that  at  that 
same  meeting  a  move  was  made  at  once  to  amend  the  Constitu- 
tion and  make  important  changes  in  the  doctrinal  basis,  as  well 
as  in  the  terms  on  which  synods  shall  be  received  into  fellowship. 
When  the  delegates  reported  to  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  which 
met  at  Rochester,  in  1866,  and  stated  the  line  of  action  they  had 
pursued,  the  report  was  accepted,  and  their  conduct  approved  by 
the  synod.  The  first  vote,  when  yeas  and  nays  were  called, 
stood  54  to  10. 

After  a  warm,  full,  but  fair  discussion  of  the  subject  of  the 
Sj'uod's  relation  to  the  General  Synod,  and  its  duty  to  the 
church   at  large,   the   following  action  was  taken. 

"Inasmuch  as  a  trial  of  13  years  fully  satisfies  us  that  the 
objects  sought  in  our  connection  with  the  General  Synod,  have 
not  been  «nd  cannot  be  accomplished  through  this  organization, 
and.  since  the  General  Synod,  by  its  recent  action,  has  shown 
itself  unfaithful  to  its  own  Constitution  and  to  tlie  Confessions 
of  the  church  of  our  fathers,  therefore. 

Resolved^  That  the  action  which,  in  1852,  resulted  in  our 
connection  with  the  General  Synod,  be  and  is  hereby  revoked." 


14  nTTSBURG   SYNOD. 

The  vote  on  the  last  action  stood  50  to  23.  A  nxild  protest 
was  offered  against  it  b}'  four  ministers  and  seven  laymen,  tc> 
which  protest  a  respectful  answer  was  made. 

Though  the  synod  had  now  dissolved  its  connection  with 
the  General  Synod,  no  one  withdrew,  but  all  those  ministers,  j.  ith 
their  delegates,  who  had  voted  in  the  negative,  met  with  the 
.synod  in  Greenville,  in  October,  1S67,  and  took  part  in  all  its 
business,  just  the  same  as  if  no  change  had  taken  place.  They 
took  part  i a  the  organisation  and  the  election  of  officers;  they 
acted  on  committees  and  took  an  interest  in  all  the  routine  busi- 
ness, and,  of  course,  they  received  the  same  treatment  from  the 
president  (PJassler),  as  any  of  the  other  members.  Everything 
moved  off  harmoniously  till  the  report  of  the  delegates  of  the 
Reading  Convention  was  heard  and  acted  on.  Then  a  discussion 
began  which  lasted  for  several  days  till  every  argument  was  ex- 
hausted. When  the  final  vote  came  to  unite  with  the  General 
Council  it  stood   63  to  21,  or  3  to   i   in  favor. 

A  protest  was  offered  by  the  17  members,  clerical  and  lay, 
who  withdrew  from  this  S5-nod,  which  reads  as  follows  : 

"Whereas.  The  majority  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  have 
adopted  the  'Fundamental  Principles,'  proposed  by  the  conven- 
tion held  at  Reading,  December,  1866,  which  'Principles'  we 
believe  to  be  in  conflict  with  the  doctrinal  position  of  the  synod, 
as  stated  in  ihe  preamble  of  the  constitution  ;  with  the  'Testi- 
mony of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,'  adopted  at  Zelienople  ;  with  the 
great  principles  of  liberty,  respecting  all  human  authority  in 
matters  of  faith  as  established  by  Luther,  and  the  great  Refor- 
mation of  the  Sixteenth  Century  ;  with  the  true  spirit  of  the 
IvUtheran  Church,  and  with  the  constitution  of  this  synod. — 
(Art.  XIII,  Sec.  2.) 

Therefore,  we,  the  undersigned,  adhering  to  the  original 
position  and  constitution  of  this  synod,  impelled  by  the  fear  of 
God,  and  by  an  imperative  conviction  of  duty,  respectfully  beg 
leave  to  withdraw  from  this  convention  of  the  synod,  leaving  it 
to  the  guidance  of  our  Heavenly  Father  to  determine  in  the 
I'uture  what  course  to  pursue." 

The  protest  was  signed  by  Pvcvs.  S.  B.  Barnitz,  A.  S.  Miller. 


SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE.  15 

A.  M.  Strauss,  S.  F.  Breckenridge,  J.  Wright,  J.  C  Goetman, 
G.  F.  Ehrenfeldt,  W.  E.  Crebs,  J.  H.  W.  Stuckenburg  and  H. 
Gathers,  and  delegates  H.  K.  Amsler,  David  Gibson,  J.  G. 
Smith,  Jac.  Hahn,  Jac.  L.  Kennedy,  Peter  Graff  and  Geoige 
Kribbs. 

The  protest  was  answered,  on  the  several  points  taken,  as 
follows,  by  Revs.  G.  Bassler,  W.  A.  Passavant,  Samuel  Laird, 
and  delegates  E.  J.  Schmaxick,  V.  A.  Foulke  and  Henry  Jarecki: 

Passing  the  introductory  part  of  the  answer  of  said  com- 
mittee we  give  only  the  arguments : 

(i.)  It  is  claimed  that  the  action  of  the  majority  is  in 
conflict  with  the  doctrinal  position  of  this  synod,  as  set  forth  in 
the  preamble  of  the  Constitution.  This  cannot  be,  because  in 
the  very  confessional  writings  referred  to  in  the  '  Principles  of 
Faith,'  the  principle  laid  down  in  the  preamble  of  our  constitu- 
tion is  most  emphatically  acknowledged,  and  is  now  incorporated 
in  the  first  article  of  our  Synodical  Constitution. 

(2.)  This  being  the  case,  the  claim  that  it  is  in  conflict 
with  Article  XIII,  Section  2,  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Synod, 
falls  to  the  ground,  as  there  has  been  no  change  ni  the  doctrinal 
article  of  the  constitution. 

(3.)  "The  claim  that  it  is  in  conflict  with  our  'Testimony,' 
adopted  at  Zelienople,  and  the  great  principles  of  liberty  as 
established  by  IvUther,  is  mere  assertion  without  a  shadow  of 
truth. 

"The  Testimony"  is  a  strong  expression  of  our  confidence 
in,  and  our  firm  adherence  to  the  Unaltered  Augsburg  Confes- 
sion, and  what  more  is  our  acceptance  of  the  "Fundamental 
Principles  of  Faith,"  and  the  position  taken  is  the  historic 
ground  of  lyUther  and  the  evangelical  theologians  of  the  Six- 
teenth Century. 

Well,  then,  has  there  been  no  change?  We  will  answer,  no 
and  yes.  There  has  been  no  change  in  our  Confession.  We 
have  added  nothing,  and  we  have  allowed  nothing  to  be  taken 
away.  We  hold  the  same  Confession  of  Faith  that  we  have 
always  held  as  a  Synod.  But  we  hold  this  Confession  with  a 
different  feeling  and  with  a  firmer  grasp  than  we  did  years  ago. 


1 6  PITTSBURG    SYNOD. 

Once  some  of  us  held  our  faith  with  a  degree  of  timidit}',  and 
some  misgivings,  lest  the  slanders  charged  against  our  dear  old 
Confession  might  in  part  prove  true,  but  now  we  hold  it  with 
confidence  and  assurance,  knowing  that  we  have  the  truth. 

That  this  Synod,  as  such,  has  made  progress  in  the  clearer 
conception  and  fuller  apprehension  of  the  faith,  is  gladly  ad- 
mitted. The  same  is  true  of  other  synods,  and  this  is  a  gratify- 
ing fact.  The  General  Sj'nod  itself  has  done  likewise,  and,  we 
may  add,  that  if  it  had  stood  on  the  .same  doctrinal  basis  in  1866 
and  in  1867  as  it  now  stands,  there  never  would  have  been  a 
division  in  that  body.  But,  as  matters  then  stood,  there  was  no 
other  wa3'  out ;  the  storm  had  to  come  in  order  that  the  ecclesi- 
astical sky,  which  was  dark  and  threatening,  might  be  cleared. 
There  was  great  danger  at  that  time  lest  our  beloved  church  be 
wrecked  on  the  "Indefinite  Platform,"  as  Dr.  Krauth  called  it. 
Thank  God,  the  conservative  element  of  the  church  rallied  and 
organized  the  General  Council,  and  able  men  came  forward  and 
defended  the  faith  of  the  church. 

We  believe  that  the  organization  of  the  General  Council  a.t 
that  time  has  been  an  infinite  blessing  to  the  church,  for  this  is  a 
truly  conservative  body,  and  has  corrected  extremes  on  the  right 
and  on  the  left,  and  its  position  must  finally  prevail  in  the  union 
of  our  church,  if  it  ever  is  to  be  united  in  North  America. 

The  battle  opened  for  the  defense  of  the  Confession,  with 
snch  men  in  the  front  ranks  as  Drs.  C.  P.  Krauth,  B.  M. 
Schmucker,  J.  A.  Seiss,  G.  Krotel,  W.  J.  Mann,  C.  F.  and 
C.  W.  Schaffer,  E.  Greenwald,  and  many  others.  In  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod  we  had  Revs.  G.  Bassler,  W.  A.  Passavant,  S.  I^aird, 
H.  W.  Roth,  and  others. 

The  conflict  lasted  several  years,  but  the  truth  won  and  the 
pure  faith  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  has  been  more 
firmly  established  than  it  ever  could  have  been  without  this 
thorough  investigation  and  the  enlightenment  which  were  the 
result  of  the  controversy. 

But  ten  of  the  66  clerical  members  and  seven  of  the  laj'  dele- 
gates of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  were  of  a  different  mind  from  that  of 
the  majority.     They  protested  against  the  action  taken  in  this 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  17 

SN'iiod  and  withdrew  from  it.  The  light  to  protest  is  freely 
granted,  and  the  right  to  withdraw,  if  their  conscience  convinced 
them  that  this  was  their  duty,  is  also  admitted.  They  had  even 
the  right  to  organize  another  synod  and  affiliate  with  the  General 
Synod,  if  this  was  their  solemn  conviction  of  duty.  But  when 
they  had  so  withdrawn  and  had  organized  another  synod,  they 
had  no  right  to  claim  to  be  the  synod  they  had  left.  They  had 
no  right  to  try  to  rob  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of  its  name,  its  pres- 
tige, and  its  history  as  a  synod,  as  they  have,  in  vain,  during  all 
these  years,  attempted  to  do. 

This  Synod  is  incorporated  under  the  title :  "The  Pitts- 
burg Synod  of  tzie  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church."  The 
charter,  which  was  obtained  from  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, constitutes  it  a  synod  by  this  name  and  title,  and  no  one  can 
rob  it  of  its  prestige,  unless  it  should  violate  its  charter,  or  the 
laws  of  the  Commonwealth,  which,  thank  God,  it  has  never 
done.  So  far  as  is  known  to  the  writer,  no  one  of  all  those  who 
have  gone  out  from  this  Synod,  has  ever  charged  it  with  the 
violation  of  its  charter.  It  seems  clear  that  there  can  be  but  one 
synod  bearing  this  name  and  exercising  rights  under  this  charter. 
In  other  words,  there  can  be  only  one  PiUshx.rg  Synod  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  Church.  If  there  be  two  bodies  bearing  this 
name,  one  is  sailing  under  false  colors,  is  not  genuine,  and  has 
no  rights  under  the  charter — has  no  existence  in  law.  It  is  clear, 
we  think,  to  every  one  who  knows  the  facts,  and  considers  them 
with  a  calm,  unbiased  mind,  which  body  of  these  two  is  the 
genuine  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 
There  never  has  beeti  a  dissenting  opinion  among  lawyers  cf 
which  we  have  any  knowledge.  Among  these  was  the  Hon.  Ed- 
gar Cowan,  an  eminent  lawyer,  who  was  retained  by  the  General 
Synod  party  in  the  Hebron  church  case,  Leechburg,  and  who 
solved  the  tedious  case  by  declaring  :  "This  is  not  a  case  of  doe- 
trine,  but  a  change  of  charter,  and  as  the  plaintiffs  have  not  pro- 
duced a  clear  majority,  their  case  is  lost."  So  the  court  decided. 
All  the  doctrinal  discussion  in  the  case  went  for  nothing,  because 
it  was  not  in  point.  This  eminent  and  shrewd  lawyer  said  to  the 
writer  in  his  office  when   speaking  of  this   Hebron  case:   "That 


r8  PITTSBURG    vSYNOn. 

was  a  plain  case,  but  those  General  Sj-nod   people  have  no  claim 
to  call  themselves  the  Pittsburg  Synod." 

There  have  been  three  cases  decided  in  the  courts  in  our 
favor,  which  prove  our  position  beyond  a  doubt,  \\z  :  Those  of 
the  church  at  Freeport,  the  Shotts'  church,  Armstrong  county, 
and  that  of  the  church  of  Venango,  Crawford  county,  all  of 
which  were  essentially  the  same,  and  are  summed  up  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Master  in  the  case  at  Venango,  thus  : 

"The  grant  ot  this  property  was  to  this  church  without 
specifying  any  particular  synodical  connection,  and  has  not  been 
changed  since  it  joined  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

"  The  Pittsburg  Synod  had  a  right  to  connect  itself  with 
whatever  general  body  of  the  Lutheran  Church  it  chose,  pro- 
vided it  did  not  make  a  radical  change  in  points  of  doctrine. 

"  The  General  Council  is  strictly  a  Lutheran  organization, 
and  the  connection  of  the  Synod  with  a  general  body  could  in  no 
way  affect  the  question  of  the  rights  of  property  in  the  church 

"In  1867  the  Pittsburg  Synod  divided,  ten  of  its  members 
withdrawing  from  its  sessions  at  Greenville,  Pa.,  because  the 
majority  of  the  Synod  had  decided  to  withdraw  from  the  General 
Synod  and  connect  themselves  with  the  General  Council.  The 
officers,  official  seal  and  records  remaining  with  the  majority. 

"From  what  appears  in  the  testimony  concerning  this  divi- 
sion of  the  Synod,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Master  that  the 
majority  constitute  the  Pittsburg  Synod  proper.  That  the  action 
of  the  majority  in  withdrawing  from  the  General  Synod  and  join- 
ing the  new  body  was  not  inconsistent  with  Lutheran  methods 
and  regulations. 

"All  the  testimony  there  is  on  the  subject  proves  that  the 
Synod  had  the  right  to  withdraw  in  an  orderly  manner  and  join 
whatever  Lutheran  body  it  wished  to,  and  the  will  of  the  major- 
ity must  prevail,  and  that  majority  is  the  Pittsburg  Synod." 

These  findings  and  opinion  of  the  Master  were  approved  and 

confirmed   by  Judge  Trunkey,  one  of  the   ablest  jurists  of  the 

State,  who  afterwards  sat  on  the  Supreme  Bench  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  claim  is  made   in  the  several  cases  that  to  leave  the 

General  Synod  is  fatal  to  the  Lutheranism  of  the  congregation 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  19 

and  the  Synod — a  monstrous  claim.  The  General  Synod  is  not 
such  a  power  in  the  Lutheran  church  as  can,  like  an  absolute 
monarch,  execute  and  administer  all  her  atfairs  according  to  her 
own  sweet  pleasure,  even  to  make  and  unmake  congregations,  to 
organize  and  annihilate  synods.  The  General  Synod,  as  a  body, 
has  never  set  up  such  a  claim.  Its  constitution  is  very  modest 
and  gi\'es  it  no  direct  power  over  churches,  and  only  advisory 
influence  over  synods. 

A  general  body,  whether  General  Synod  or  General  Council, 
has  no  direct  claim  over  churches,  and  over  synods  only  in  so  far 
as  they  enter  into  compact  with  it  by  its  constitution.  It  has  no 
power  over  synods  to  compel  them  to  unite  with  it  or  to 
hold  them  after  they  have  united.  The  history  of  the  General 
Synod,  as  well  as  the  General  Council  abundantly  proves  this 
assertion. 

Synods  are  useful,  and  so  are  general  bodies,  but  they  are 
not  divine.  The  order  in  the  Lutheran  Church  is  this  :  First  the 
congregation,  then  the  synod,  after  that  the  general  body.  The 
congregations  or  churches  make  the  synod,  for  a  'synod  is  an 
assemblage  of  churches  acting  through  their  representatives  or 
delegates.  A  congregation  may  exist  without  the  synod,  but 
the  synod  cannot  exist  without  the  congregation.  The  congre- 
gation is  the  primary  organization. 

In  like  manner  the  synods  make  the  general  body,  for  the 
general  body  is  an  assemblage  of  synods  through  their  repre- 
sentatives or  delegates.  Therefore,  as  the  general  body  does  not 
make  the  synod,  it  cannot  unmake  it  or  put  it  out  of  existence 
as  a  Lutheran  body,  so  long  as  it  confesses  the  Lutheran  faith. 
Yet  this  is  the  claim  of  those  who  organized  the  new  so-called 
Pittsburg  Synod  and  that  the  other  Sj^nod  had  forfeited  the 
right  to  be  called  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church  because  it  had  left  the  General  Synod. 

This  question  would  not  have  been  taken  up  at  this  time, 
but  it  seems  important  that  the  church  and  the  public  should 
know  who  we  are,  where  we  stand,  and  on  what  grounds  we 
make  our  claims.  This  subject  is  here  discussed  at  some  length 
because  we  have  felt  for  a   long  time  that  this  synod  trouble 


20  PITTSBURG   SVNQD. 

ought  to  be  more  clearly  published  for  the  benefit  of  our  people, 
and  for  the  information  of  those  especially  who  know  httle  of 
the  history  of  this  Synod,  and  of  the  steps  and  missteps  that  led 
up  to  this  contro\'ersy. 

The  subject,  which  has  been  discussed  with  no  unkindness 
to  any  one,  is  here  dismissed  with  this  observation,  that  it  is  a 
sad  thought  that  so  much  strength  has  been  spent  in  controversj^ 
among  brethren,  which  ought  to  have  been  spent  in  fighting  the 
world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil,  and  we  earnestly  hope  and 
devoutly  pray  that  the  time  will  soon  come  when  we  as  Luther- 
ans will  see  eye  to  eye  ;  "When  Ephraim  shall  not  envy  Judah, 
nor  Judah  vex  Ephraim." 

The  Pittsburg  Synod  has  an  honorable  history,  and  has  made 
a  noble  record  in  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  the  several  lines  of 
church  work,  and  has  generally  been  a  leader  in  all  the  great  and 
noble  works  of  charity,  of  mercy  and  of  Christian  beneficence. 
"  This  Synod  has  had  her  reverses  and  disappointments,  but  her 
l>lcssings  have  so  far  outnumbered  these  that  only  gratitude 
should  fill  the  minds  and  hearts  of  those  who  contemplate  with 
interest  her  history  and  present  standing." 

Two  important  epochs  in  the  history  of  this  Synod,  to  which 
reference  should  yet  be  made,  are  the  Twenty-fifth  and  the 
Jubilee  anniversaries  of  its  organization. 

The  first,  the  Twenty-fifth  Anniversary,    was  celebrated  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Synod   at  Saegertown,  in  1870. 
At   the  meeting  at  Greensburg,  in   1869,  it  was 
' '  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  next  conven- 
tion of  this  body  will  be  the  25th  anniversary  of  the  organization 
of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  the   officers  are  hereby    empowered  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements    for    a   suitable  celebration." 
The    President  of  the  Synod,   Rev.  G.  A.  Wentzel,  D.  D., 
later  announced  the  program  to  be  carried  out  on  the  evening  of 
October  3,  1870,  during  the  convention  of  Synod  at  Saegertown, 
Pa.     The  following  record  of  this  meeting  is  made  in  the  min- 
utes of    that  year  : 

"  The  exercises  in  connection   with  the  Twenty-fifth  Anni- 
versarv  of  the  Svnod  were  held  on  Monday  evening  (October  3). 


SOi:T H  ]  V  K >:     CO N  !■•  K  R  }■  X f  i ^  2  1 

Addresses  were  delivered  by  Revs.  W.  A.  I'assavinit,  A.  II. 
Waters,  W.  P.  Ruthrauff  and  Michael  Sch\vei;;ert.  iMusic,  np 
propriate  to  the  occasion,  was  rendered  l^y  the  clioir.  Owin;;'  [o 
the  lateness  of  the  hour  the  biographies  of  the  deceased  brethren 
of  the  Synod,  as  prepared  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Ukry,  were  not  pre- 
sented.    It  was  then 

"Resolved,  That  the  Historian  of  the  Synod  be  authorl/.ed 
to  publish,  in  pamphlet  form,  such  addresses  and  statements  in 
connection  with  our  Twenty-fifth  Anniversary,  as  may  outline 
the  work  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  since  its  organization." 

This  was  never  done.  It  would  have  been  of  historic  inter- 
est had  the  instructions  been  carried  out. 

Dr.  Passavant,  in  his  usual  happj^  manner,  made  a  short  but 
very  impressive  address  on  the  organization  of  the  Synod  and  its 
founders  who  had  passed  away.  Surely  no  one  was  better  lltted 
than  he,  as  he  was,  in  fact,  the  father  of  the  Synod.  He  made 
some  touching  allusions  to  our  brethern  departed,  such  as  Revs. 
Steck,  Witt,  Mantz,  Delo,  Garver,  Lawson  and  Bassler. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  followed  in  a  neat  and  earnest  address 
on  the  history  of  the  Synod,  and  Rev.  W.  P.  Ruthrauff  with  an 
eloquent  address  on  its  educational  work  and  institutions.  All 
three  addresses  were  worth}  of  the  occasion  and  did  credit  to 
their  authors. 

But  the  address  of  the  evening  was  by  Rev.  Michael  Schwei- 
gert  on  "  Reminiscences  in  a  Pastor's  Life.  It  was  character- 
istic of  the  author,  who  was  a  man  posses.sed  of  quite  a  meager 
education,  but  of  great  originality.  He  came  forward  with  a 
great  manuscript  under  his  arm  (which  he  did  not  use;,  written 
on  foolscap  paper.  He  laid  it  down  on  the  table  before  him  with 
the  quaint  remark  :  "All  de  great  speakers  have  a  manuscript 
and  I  tink  I  better  bring  a  manuscript  too." 

He  began  in  his  characteristic  manner  by  telling  how  he 
came  to  study  for  the  ministry.  Rev.  Passavant  had  encouraged 
him  and  helped  him,  for  which  he  took  occasion  to  heartily  thank 
him.  After  he  was  licensed  he  was  sent  out  by  Synod  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  minister  to  the  poor  Germans  who  had  recently  come 
to  this  country,  in  Beaver,  Butler  and  Allegheny    counties.    His 


22  PITTSBURG    SYNOD. 

salary  was  very  small — a  mere  pittance.  He  said  that  the  first 
year  he  received  only  a  few  dollars.  He  endured  much  fatigue, 
for  he  traveled  long  distances  on  foot  to  the  several  stations. 
Some  friends  advised  him  to  get  a  horse,  for  the  long  journeys 
would  wear  him  out.  But,  he  asked  :  "  How  can  I  get  money 
enough  to  buy  a  horse?"  He  was  told  that  he  could  buy  ahor.se 
very  cheap  at  the  Pittsburg  horse  market — sometimes  as  low  as 
$io  or  even  $5.  Said  he:  "  So  I  goes  to  Pittsburg  and  looks 
around  in  that  market  and  finds  some  horses  that  were  cheap  and 
I  sees  the  men  who  are  going  to  buy  a  horse  go  and  look  into 
his  mouth  and  examine  his  teeth.  I  tink  I  go  too  and  look  for 
myself.  I  see  a  horse  that  was  offered  v^ery  cheap  and  I  looks 
into  his  mouth  and  sees  he  has  fine  long  teeth,  so  I  agrees  to  take 
him  for  $5.00,  for  I  tink  he  must  be  a  good  horse  for  he  has  good 
long  teeth.  I  tink  how  longer  the  teeth  how  better  de  horse." 
But  the  poor  man  had  a  sad  experience  with  that  horse.  He 
.soon  found  that  he  was  worse  off  than  when  he  had  no  horse. 

He  continued  to  labor  with  earnestness  and  fidelity,  and 
by  and  by  he  fared  a  little  better.  He  got  more  salary  and  by 
economy  he  saved  a  little  money — till  he  accumulated  $50.00. 
"Den  I  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  so  much  money,  and  I 
thought  I  would  get  married,  but  Brudder  Passavant  said  'no,'  I 
must  not  get  married  yet;  $50  would  not  set  up  housekeepings." 

He  had  to  put  up  with  inconveniences  and  suffer  no  little 
discomfort,  but  he  always  found  a  way  out  of  his  difficulties — 
some  of  these  were  very  ridiculous.  After  years  of  toil  and  self- 
denial  he  found  a  good  wife  and  was  happy.  He  then  lived  in 
Kittanning.  There  was  an  old  Presbyterian  minister  living  there 
who  was  a  strong  millennarian.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  asking 
every  minister  he  met,  "Well,  what  do  you  think  about  the  mil- 
lenium?"  The  first  time  he  met  Rev.  Schweigert  after  he  had 
got  married,  he  asked  him  :  "Well,  Brother  Schweigert,  what  do 
you  think  about  the  millennium  ?' '  Rev.  Schweigert  answered  : 
"  Oh,  Mr.  Painter,  I  not  tink  much  about  the  millennium — I  just 
got   married. 

There  was  another  minister  in  Kittanning  who  had  married 
a  rich  wife,  had  quit  the  active  ministry  and  had  become  a  broker. 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  23 

He  met  Rev.  Schweigert  one  day  at  the  postoffice,  the  latter 
smoking  a  cigar,  and  reproved  him,  saying  :  "  You  never  read  in 
the  New  Testament  that  the  Apostles  smoked?"  "No,  I  never 
read  dat,  but  I  do  read  about  one  of  the  Apostles  who  followed 
Christ  for  a  while — that  he  got  hold  of  the  money  bag  and  got 
to  be  a  shaver,"  replied  Schweigert. 

Thus  he  continued  to  speak  in  his  inimitable  manner,  to  the 
great  amusement  and  entertainment  of  the  Synod. 

The  other  notable  event  in  the  history  of  the  Synod  is  the 
celebration  of  the  Jubilee  Anniversary,  which  took  place  in  1894 
and  1895.  Action  was  taken  by  the  Synod,  looking  forward  to 
this  occasion,  in  1893,  and  arrangements  were  made  for  the 
meeting  of  the  Synod  in  Pittsburg  in  1894,  as  this  was  the  place 
where  it  was  organized. 

The  following  historical  addresses  were  appointed  :  General 
Address,  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D. ;  Home  Missions,  Rev. 
D.  M.  Kemerer  ;  Beneficiary  Eduaction,  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  ; 
Ministerial  Relief,  Rev.  J.  I,.  Smith. 

These  several  addresses  were  delivered  according  to  arrange- 
ment, except  that  of  Dr.  Passavant,  who  had  already  been 
removed  from  the  church  on  earth  to  the  church  in  heaven.  His 
absence  from  the  meeting  was  keenly  felt  and  universally  la- 
mented. No  one  could  fill  his  place.  Rev.  W.  H.  Roth,  D.  D. 
disjussed  the  topic  which  had  been  assigned  Dr.   Paisavant. 

A  general  Jubilee  Committee  was  appointed  to  arrange  for 
and  carry  out  the  fitting  celebration,  with  the  special  purpose  of 
raising  $50,000  as  a  thank  offering  to  be  devoted  to  the  cause  of 
Missions  and  Education. 

There  were  also  Conference  Committees  appointed  to  serve 
under  and  in  co-operation  with  the  General  Committee.  The 
general  plan  was  well  conceived  but  the  detail  was  not  success- 
fully carried  out.  No  one,  perhaps,  deserves  any  censure,  but  it 
is  with  deep  regret  that  we  note  that  scarcely  one-half  of  the 
money  was  raised.  It  ought  to  have  been  raised  in  full,  which 
might  have  been  done  had  there  not  been  too  much  machinery 
and  too  little  work.  All  the  work  seemed  to  depend  on  a  very 
few,  whereas  it  ought   to  have  been  divided  among  the  manv. 


24  PITTSBURG  SYNOD. 

Mainly  through  the  energy  of  the  President  of  the  Synod,  Rev  , 
J.  C.  Kunzmann,  and  a  few  others,  something  was  accomplished, 
for  which  we  have  reason  to  be  thankful.  Some  $20,000,  or 
more,  was  collected  throughout  the  entire  Sj^nod,  and  we  are  not 
unmindful  that  even  this  was  a  good  work. 

There  has  been  great  development  in  the  field  of  the 
Pittsburg  Synod  since  its  organization  in  1845.  The  Synod  has 
k-^pt  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  field.  It  has  grown  from  8  min- 
isters, 26  congregations  and  2,256  comnunicant  members,  to  142 
minsters,  205  congregations  and  29,000  communicants,  and  is 
moving  steadily  forward   in  its  missionary  and  educational  work. 

There  are  several  other  synods  that  have  been  organ- 
ized out  of  members  of  this  synod. 

The  Canada  Synod  was  organized  in  i86r,  taking  9  min- 
isters of  the  Pitb^burg  Synod.  It  now  has  41  minsters  and 
13,600  members. 

In  1867  ten  ministers  withdrew  from  this  Synod  and  or- 
ganized a  synod  in  connection  with  the  General  Synod.  It  oc- 
cupies in  the  main  the  same  territory  and  is  called  by  the 
same  name  as  ours.  It  now  has  some  70  ministers  and  more 
than   12,000  communicants. 

The  Nova  Scotia  synod,  whose  organization  was  author- 
zed  in  June,  A.  D.  1902  and  has  probably  been  effected,  is 
also  a  chili  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  and  includes  six  ministers 
and  more  than  2,000  communicants. 

Recently,  with  the  consent  of  Synod,  a  very  impDrtant  de- 
parture has  been  inaugurated  in  the  educational  work  of  the 
Synod,  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Thiel  College,  in  the  determi- 
nation to  remove  the  college  from  Greenville  to  Greensburg, 
the  citizens  of  the  latter  town,  b)'^  the  aid  of  other  generous 
givers  in  the  vicinit)',  promptly  subscribing  $100,000  to  assist 
in  carrying  out  this  important  movement.  Hence  the  college 
will  open  its  next  session  in  Greensburg  in  Septemer,  1903. 
This  is  believed  to  be  a  move  destined  to  greatly  increase 
the  usefulness  of  the  college,  on  whose  prosperity  so  much  of 
the  success  of  the  church  depends. 


f 


y.m  ^ 


i  • 


S.  L.  HAKKEY. 


.lUlIX  K.  I'LITT. 


F.  W.   K.  PKSCHAU. 


A.  L.  voi'xr. 


H  I  snr  O  R  Y 

OF  THE 

SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE 

OF  THE 

Pittsburg  Synod  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 


6  71  T  the  second  meeting  of  the  Synod,  which  convened  in 
I^K  Shippenville,  Pa.,  June  6,  1845,  when  the  Constitution  was 
-^  -*-  adopted,  the  territory  of  the  Synod  was  divided  into  Con- 
ference districts,  and  the  powers  and  the  sphere  of  activity  of 
the  Conferences  were  defined.     The  action  of  Synod  was  : 

"Resolved,  That  this  Sjniod  be  divided  into  three  Conference 
districts." 

The  First  embraced  the  territory  .south  of  the  Allegheny 
and  Kiskiminetas  rivers; 

The  Second,  that  part  of  Allegheny  county  north  of  the 
Allegheny  river,  with  Armstrong  and  Butler  counties  ; 

The  Third,  all  that  part  of  the  synodical  territory  north  of 
the  Second  Conference. 

We  learn  from  the  minutes  of  Synod  that  the  meetings  of 
the  several  Conferences  have  been  held  with  a  good  degree  of 
regularity — usually  twice  a  year. 

The  first  minutes  of  the  Southern  Conference  which  have 
come  down  to  us  are  those  of  a  meeting  at  Hoffman's  church  on 
the  6th  of  September,  1848.  ^The  ministers  present  at  this 
meeting  were  : 

Revs.  Abraham  Weills,  W.  A.  Passavant,  W.  S.  Emery, 
John  Rugan  and  D.  Moyer,  and  delegates  John  Coder,  David 
Wonsettler  and  M.  B.  Hartzell.  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  of  the 
Ohio  Synod,  was  also  present  by  invitation,  and  took  part  in  the 
proceedings. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  which  had  occurred 
only  a  few  da}'s  before,  was  formally  announced  to  the  Conference 


26  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

b}'  Rev.  W,  A.  Passavant,  and  appropriate  action  was  taken  and 
minute  made  of  this  sad  death  and  serious  loss  to  the  Confer- 
ence. The  principal  business  of  this  meeting  was  the  division 
and  suppl}-  of  the  Greensburg  parish,  made  vacant  by  the  sad 
death  of  Rev.    Michael  J.   Stcck. 

The  Conference,  with  great  unanimity,  agreed  on  the  divi- 
sion of  the  parish  of  Rev.  Steck  into  two  parishes.  Greens- 
burg and  Harrold's  to  constitute  the  Greensburg  Parish,  and 
Brush  Creek  and  Manor  the  Second  Parish.  The  former  then 
had  500  members,  and  the  latter  600.  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling 
also  agreed  that  this  plan  would  be  advisable,  but  soon  after- 
wards accepted  a  call  to  the  whole  parish  as  it  was  before 
the   division. 

This  unexpected  move  took  the  entire  parish  out  of  the 
Pittsburg  Synod,  and,  hence,  also  out  of  the  Southern  Confer- 
ence, as  Rev.  Mechling  was  a  member  of  another  synod  and 
entertained  strong  preferences  in  that  direction. 

But  the  dissatisfaction  in  the  Brush  Creek  congregation  was 
so  great  that  a  new  German-English  congregation  was  organized 
under  the  name  of  Holy  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
of  Adamsburg.  Thi,-,  step  was  not  taken,  however,  until  an 
earnest  and  faithful  effort  had  been  made  by  the  Conference  to 
reconcile  the  parties  and  bring  them  to  an  agreement  in  the  e- 
lecLiou  andcallof  a  pastor  who  could  preach  German  and  English. 

At  tills  meeting  of  Conference,  after  due  examination,  Solo- 
mon Weills  was  ordained  to  the  Holy  Ministry,  by  the  laying 
on  of  hands  and  prayer. 

September  19,  184S,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Bethel  church, 
Washington  county,  at  which  were  present :  Revs.  Abram  Weills, 
W.  A.  Passavant,  W.  S.  Emery,  Solomon  Weills  and  John 
Rugan,  and  delegates  Fred  A.   Carsten  and  Daniel  x\llar. 

At  this  meeting  candidate  F.  Zimmerman  was  examined  and 
passed,  and  was  recommended  to  the  president  of  Synod  for 
licensure.  A  uniform  Order  of  Service  was  discussed  and  rec- 
ommended to  the   churches. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  at  Adamsburg,  Pa.,  January  22, 
1S50.     The  ministers  present  were    Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant,   W. 


SOUTHERN    CONKKKKNCE.  27 

S.  Htiiery,  Michael  Eyster  and  John  Rngan,  and  delegates  Thos. 
H.   Lane,    F.  J.   Cope  an.d  vSaniuel  Zimmerman. 

Rev.  Michael  Kyster  was  elected  president,  and  Rev.  W.  S. 
Emery,  secretary.  At  this  meeting  a  resolution  was  unani- 
mously passed  to  erect  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck.  The  committee  appointed  to  carry  out  this 
resolution  were  Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant  and  John  Rugan,  and  F. 
J.  Cope,  Esq.  Action  was  also  taken  in  the  interest  of  the 
Muhlenberg  Collegiate  Institute,  now  located  at  Greensburg, 

At  a  meeting  held  i6th  of  October.  1851,  at  St.  James' 
church,  Westmoreland  county,  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery  was  elected 
president,  and  Rev.  Solomon  Weills,  secretary.  Candidate  C.  F. 
Diehl,  a  student  from  Gettysburg  vSeminary,  was  examined  and. 
recommended  for  licensure. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  Synod  when  the  conferences  had 
only  a  small  number  of  ministers,  the  meetings  went  sometimes 
attended  by  a  very  few.  Four  to  six  was  the  usual  number  of 
ministers  with  their  lay  delegates.  It  sometimes  happened,  as 
Rev.  J.  B.  Fox,  of  the  Northern  Conference,  once  said,  in  a 
characteristic  speech,  made  in  self-defense,  when  censured  for 
absence:  "I  have  attended  the  meetings  of  Conference  when 
there  were  just  enough  present  to  conduct  the  business, — one  to 
preside,  one  to  record  the  minutes  and  one  to  make  the  motions." 

In  one  of  his  annual  reports  President  Bassler  administered 
a  severe  rebuke  to  the  ministers  of  Synod  who  neglected  to 
attend  the  meetings  of  Conference,  and  we  know  that  there  was 
ground  for  such  a  rebuke. 

At  one  time  it  was  proposed  to  abolish  the  whole  conference 
system  and  hold  semi-annual  meetings  of  Synod,  but  this  did  not 
prevail.  We  are  glad  to  say  that  the  interest  in  the  meetings  of 
Conference  has  greatly  increased  in  later  years,  and  is  now  quite 
encouraging. 

The  Southern  Conference,  though  greatly  reduced  in  strength 
by  the  loss  of  the  parish  of  Rev.  M.  J.  Steck,  always  remained 
one  of  the  strongest  in  point  of  membership.  There  are  a 
number  of  noteworthy  acts  which  this  Conference  has  done.  It 
has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  educational  institutions 


2S  coxrKKT'.Ni:)-:    histokv. 

of  the  vSynod.  The  Muhleuhcrg-  Collegiate  Institiito  was  located 
at  (rreensburg  throu.^h  Pastor  Steck  and  others  in  the  bounds  of 
this  conference,  and  would,  no  doubt,  have  had  a  permanent 
existence  had  this  good  brother  lived  to  carry  out  his  plans  con- 
cerning it.  In  more  recent  times  the  school  has  been  revived  in 
the  Greensburg  Seminary  b}'  members  of  this  Conference,  a  his- 
tory of  which  wall  be  found  in  another  chapter. 

The  monument  in  the  German  cemetery  at  Greensburg,  to 
the  memory  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  was  erected  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Southern  Conference.  Thiel  College  also  really 
had  its  beginning  in  this  Conference.  The  membership  gradu- 
ally increased  so  that  in  i860  to  1863  Conference  had  17  ministers. 
In  1869.  at  a  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  held  in  Greens- 
burg, the  synod  was  redistricted  into  five  conferences — North- 
ern, Eastern,  Middle,  Southern  and  Western.  Under  this  new- 
arrangement  the  Southern  Conference  is  composed  of  Westmore- 
land, Fayette,  Indiana,  and  parts  of  Cambria  and  Blair  counties, 
and  also  Morgantown,  W.  Va.  Under  the  old  division  Alle- 
gheny, county  was  the  centre  of  the  Conference,  but  as  it  is  con- 
stituted now  Westmoreland  county  is  its  main  strength  and 
centre  of   operation. 

When  the  Synod  redistricted  its  territory  in  1869,  this  Con- 
ference was  reduced  to  nine  ministers,  only  seven  of  whom  were 
pastors,  and  1,500  members.  It  now  numbers  31  ministers,  27  of 
whom  are  pastors,  44  congregations  and  7,800  communicant 
members.     There  are  40  Sunday  Schools  and  4,650  scholars. 

It  now  has  five  times  as  many  members  and  three  times  as 
manv  ministers,  and  the  contributions  to  benevolent  objects 
have  increased  in  equal  ratio,  $4,000  having  been  paid  last  year 
(1900)  to  benevolence,  and  $40,000  to  local  objects. 

Some  time  between  1880-1890  the  Ligonier  parish  was  re- 
ceived from  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  also  Brush  Creek  and 
Manor,  and  later,  Greensburg  and  Mt.  Pleasant  parishes,  and  St, 
Paul's  or  Ridge  church  (Pleasant  Unity). 

All  the  strong  churches  in  Westmoreland  county  are  now 
included  in  this  conference.  There  are  several  small  congrega- 
tions in  the  Northern  part  of  the  county,  that  belong  to  the 


SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE.  29 

General  vSjmod.  In  1881  apart  of  Old  Zion  church,  Harrold's, 
and  a  faction  of  old  Manor  congregation,  went  to  the  General 
Synod,  the  former  on  accoont  of  a  dispute  about  the  constitution 
and  charter,  and  the  latter  on  account  of  a  disagreement  about 
the  location  of  a  new  church. 

The  Conference  has  enlarged  its  sphere  of  activity  and  use- 
fulness in  the  last  decade  in  many  ways,  but  there  is  still  a 
greater  field  which  it  has  not  yet  entered.  It  is  probable  that  it, 
in  connection  with  the  other  conferences,  will,  in  the  near  future, 
do  much  of  the  local  and  parochial  work  which  is  now  brought 
to  the  Synod  and  transacted  by  that  body. 

This  Conference,  during  the  50  years  of  its  history,  has  fur- 
nished some  25  men  for  the  ministry,  most  of  whom  are  still  in 
the  work  and  doing  good  service.  There  are  now  about  one 
dozen  candidates  in  course  of  preparation  for  the  ministry  from 
this  territory.  Inasmuch  as  the  records  of  Conference  covering 
a  period  of  14  or  more  years,  have  been  destroj'^ed  by  fire,  it  is 
impossible  to  give  many  details  of  the  doings  of  this  body 
during  those  years. 

The  Greensburg  Seminary  is  located  in  the  bounds  of  Con- 
ference, and  is  also,  in  an  important  sense,  an  institution  of  the 
Conference.  It  looks  largely  for  support  to  the  churches  of  the 
Southern  Conference.  An  effort  is  now  being  made  to  raise  a 
fund  for  the  endowment  of  this  school,  an  effort  we  devoutly 
pray  may  be  successful. 

The  Southern  Conference  is  noted  for  its  many  fine  churches, 
not  a  few  of  which  have  been  built  in  lecent  years.  Here  is  the 
magnificent  temple  of  the  First  Church,  Greensburg.  Along  side 
is  the  neat  church  of  Zion's  congregation.  Then  Latrobe  has  a 
fine  church,  so  also  Ligonier,  West  Newton,  Jeannette,  Pennand 
Avonmore.  Delmont  congregation  recently  repaired  its  church. 
Trinity,  Irwin,  is  about  finishing  a  $13,000  church,  and  St, 
Paul's,  Pleasant  Unity,  is  also  at  work  building.  Both  thes« 
churches  will  be  dedicated  in  the  near  future. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  places  of  the  meetings,  and 
the  officers  of  the  Conference  during  the  years  past  : 


30'  CONFEP'KNCE     HISTOKY. 


CONFERENCE  MEETINGwS  AND  OFFICERS. 


PRESJUEdT  SECKETAKY 


1.H4.S,  Sept.    6 „^Hoffinan's ,\V.  S.  Emory John  Rugan. 

18-iy,  Jiin.    19 Wavliiiifrtoii,  Ha Abrani  Weflls „W.  S.  Emery. 

1849,  Sept.  19 Bctliel.  Wa.shiiigton    Co Abram  Weills W.  S.  Emerj-. 

l^.'lO.  Jan.    2:1  -v...,.Tiiiiity,  Adamsburg Michac)  Kjster W.  S.  Emery. 

(h,SI,  Oct.    ]♦> St.  Jaincs W.  S.  Emery Solomon  Weills, 

ISM.  Aug    14 Pk'a.saiit  Tnity — ..W.  A    Passnvant Solomon  Wei>ls, 

IS-W,  flct.      C Zion,  Greensbiirg W.  3.  Emery- Solomon  VVeilla. 

185:1.  Dee.  25 East  LiberSy,  Pa -....W.  A.  Pa.ssavaut Henry  Reck. 

isr*,  Mar.  11 Siilem,  Pa..!. W.  8.  Emerj' Henry  Reck. 

ISTie,  .'line  18 .Birmin.sfbam ...Abram  Weills Henry  Reck. 

IXrd,  Dec.  — Greeiisburg W.  S.Emery Henry  Reck. 

1857,  Nov.  18 Trinitv,  Adanisburg W.S.Emery W'.V  Uleiy. 

TS.")8,  Mar.    7 Pittsbnrfr - Ilenrj*  RecK W  S.  Emerj-. 

1858,  Nfiv.    2 New  Stanton, W.  S.  Emery Georgo  Gaumer. 

1859,  Oct.    26.. West  Ne\\ton S.  B.  Lawson GeorKe  Ganmer. 

1,S60,  Jan.   30 Salem - S.  B.  Lawson George  Ganmer, 

IStiO,  Sept.  26 Bethel  Chnrch S.  B.  Lawson George  Ganmer. 

1861,  Feb.    25 Wheeling,  W.  Va.. Robert  Neuman ..George  Ganmer, 

186),  Aug.  '21 Ea'-'t  Liberty S  B.  Lawson J.  S.  Lawson. 

1862,  Feb.    VZ Esist  Rirmingliam S.  B.  Lawson ).  S.  Lawson. 

mVJ.,  Sept.   10 Donegal.  Pa S.  B.  Lawson W.  F.  Ulery. 

1862,  Dec,     S Zion,  Washington  Co S.  B.  Law,«on W.  F.  Ulery. 

1887,  May      ?. Irwin,  Pa J.  L.  Smith E.G.  Lund. 

1887,  Oct,    25 St,  .Tames D.  M.  Kemerer E.G.Lund. 

1888^  May    22 Seanor's.... D,  M.  Kemerer E.  G.  Lund, 

1888,  Oct.    23 Uniontown E.  G.  Lund J.  A.  Waters. 

1889,  May    21 Youngstown,   Pa .,...,...E,  G.  Lund J.  A.  Waters. 

1889   Oct.      2 West  Newton,  Pa S.  K,  Herbster E.  L.  Baker. 

189o!  May     6 Zion,  Boquet S.  K  Herbster E  L.Baker. 

18'.H),  Oct.    20 Old  Zion,  Harrold's J.  C.  Kunzmann W.  H.  Zuber. 

ISyl,  May    19 Ligonier,  Pa J  C.  Kunzmann W.  H.  Zuber. 

l.'^gi,  Oct.    13 Brush  Creek J.  L.  Smith W.  H.  Zuber. 

1S92,  May    10..„-,...First  Oh.,  fJreensburg A.  L.  Yount W.  H.  Znl)er. 

1892,  Oct.      4 Uniontown,  Pa A.  L.  Yount W.  H.  Zuber. 

1893,  May     8 Latrobe,  Pa A.  L.  Yount W.  H.  Zuber. 

189:^,  Oct,    24 Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa A.  L.  Yount John  Mueller. 

1894,  May     7 Plea.sn,nt  Unity A.  L.  Yount John  Mueller, 

1894,  Oct.    1.5 Ligonier,  Pa P.  Doerr .John  Mueller. 

18a5,  June  l'» West  Newton,  Pa P.  Doerr Tohn  Mueller. 

1:^9.5,  Nov      6 Derry  .Station P.  Doerr John  Mueller. 

1896,  June    1 Flr5t  Ch.,  (ireensburg, P.  Doerr John  Mueller. 

1890,  Oct.    19 Donegal,  Pa W,  F.  Ulery J.  C.  F.  Rupp. 

1897,  June    1 leannette W.  F.  Ulerv J.  C.  F.  Rupp. 

1897,  Oct.    11 Old  Zion,  Harrolds W.  F.  Ulery J.  C.  F.  Rupp, 

1898,  May    :w Delmont.  Pa W.  F.  Uler\- J.  C.  F.  Rupp. 

1898,  Oct.    24 St.  .John's R.  G.  Rosenbaum J.  C.  F.  Rupp. 

1899,  May    24 .Saltsburg R.  G.  Rosenbaum J.  C.  F.  Rupp. 

1899    Oct      16 Irwin.  Pa R.  G.  Rosenbaum F.  K.  Beistel. 

1900,'  April  16 Mf.  Pleasant R.  G.  Rosenb.aura F.  S.  Beistel. 

'  1900,  Oct.      8 Connellsville  R.  G.  Rosenbaum F.  S.  Beistel. 

1901,  April  29 Jacob's,  Masontov.n,    Pa...R.  G.  Rosenbaum E  S  Beistel. 

1902,  Oct.  21 Pleasant  Uititv 8.  K.  Herbster L  M.  Wallace, 

V.>02,  May  5 .Jacob's    Chnrch a   K.  Herbster I  M    Wall»i'f. 

19<)2,  Cct.  20 Al^Wa ;S.  K.  Herbster I.  M.  Walliue. 

1903,  April  20 Uniontown S.  K.  Herbster L  M.  Wallace. 


HISTORY 

OF   THE 

GREENSBURG  SEMINARY. 


J'T^HIS  is  a  classical  and  literary  institution,  located  at  Greens- 
j  burg,  whose  histor}'  dates  back,  as  we  look  at  events, 
-*-  over  half  a  century.  However,  under  its  present  name  it 
was  organized  by  Rev.  Prof.  Lucian  Cort,  of  the  Refornied 
church,  in  1874.  As  an  institution  connected  with  the  Lutheran 
church,  we  think  of  it  and  associate  it  with  a  Lutheran  school 
established  in  Greensburg  in  1848. 

In  1845  the  Pittsburg  Synod  organized  a  school  and  placed 
it  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Gottlieb  Bassler  of  Zelienople,  Pa.  In 
1846,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Synod  in  Greensburg,  a  Board  of  twelve 
Trustees  was  elected  to  serve  for  two  years. 

These  trustees  were  authorized  to  select  a  location,  secure  a 
principal  and  provide  for  his  support,  and  to  do  whatever  might 
l)e  necessary  for  the  success  of  the  school. 

In  1847,  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Synod  at  the  Brush 
Creek  church,  it  was  decided,  with  a  good  degree  of  unanimity, 
to  locate  the  school  at  Greensburg,  but  the  Board  resolved  not 
to  remove  to  Greensburg  till  arrangements  were  made  for  its 
accommodation,  either  by  the  erection  of  a  permanent  building 
or  the  renting  of  a  suitable  building  for  this  purpose.  Buildings 
having  subsequently  been  leased  by  the  Board,  and  fitted  up  for 
school  purposes,  in  the  fall  of  1848  the  school  was  organized  and 
established  in  Greensburg  under  the  name  and  title  of  The 
Muhlenberg  Collegiate  Institute. 

It  was  under  the  principalship  of  Prof.  W.  P.  RuthraufF. 
who  was  assisted  by  Mr.  Asa  H.  Waters  and  Miss  Mary  A.  Haft. 
It  consisted  of  two  departments,  male  and  female.  The  male 
department  was  conducted  in  the  old  Bunker  Hill  house,  which 
was  located  near  where  Col.  Clopper's  house  now  stands.  It  was 
fitted  up  for  recitation  rooms,  dormitory,  and  boarding  house 
for   a   number   of   students.     The  female    department  was  in  a 


32  CONFERENCE   HISTORY, 

building  on  West  Pittsburg  street,  now  owned  by  George  Stark. 
The  school  opened  under  fair  auspices,  had  the  good  will  and 
patronage  of  the  leading  people  of  the  town,  and  the  work  of 
instruction  gave  good  satisfaction.  At  the  end  of  the  first  year 
Mr.  Asa  H.  Water  resigned  his  place  and  went  to  college. 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  at  Venango,  Pa.,  Revs.  W.  A. 
Passavant,  Gottlieb  Bassler  and  David  Earhart,  and  Messrs. 
John  Armstrong,  F.  J.  Cope  and  William  Jack  were  elected  as 
trustees,  and  the  Board  was  instructed  to  go  forward  as  fast  as 
practicable  with  the  work  of  erecting  a  building.  Four  acres  of 
land  were  purchased  on  Bunker  Hill  from  Col.  Frederick  Rohrer 
for  $600,  including  the  Col.  Clopptr  property  and  the  site  where 
the  Seminary  now  stands.  Plans  were  secured  for  a  suitable 
building  and  the  contract  was  about  to  be  let,  but  for  some 
reason  it  was  postponed.  At  the  close  of  the  second  year  the 
Board  was  without  a  teacher  to  take  charge  of  the  school.  Rev. 
Michael  Eyster,  who  had  been  elected  principal  had  declined, 
Prof.  W.  P.  Ruthrauff  had  resigned  to  take  charge  of  a  church, 
and  the  assistant,  W.  F.  Ulery,  also  left  to  finish  his  college 
course.  Had  there  been  a  man  available,  who  had  the  ability 
as  well  as  the  courage,  to  undertake  this  work,  this  school  would 
not  have  been  closed  and  the  work  of  building  would  no  doubt 
have  gone  forward. 

Thus  near  did  this  undertaking  come  to  being  a  success  at 
that  time.  The  lack  was  that  of  suflScient  faith  and  perseverance. 
True,  there  seemed  to  be  a  combination  of  circumstances  against 
it  then.  The  Synod  was  young  and  financially  weak.  Through 
the  death  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  it  had  lost  a  strong  man,  and 
the  strongest  congregation  of  the  Synod  withdrew  to  another 
synod.  Had  Rev.  Steck  lived  we  believe  that,  under  God,  the 
result  would  have  been  different.  He  was  an  earnest  man,  had 
a  strong  oersonality,  and  wielded  a  wide  influence  in  the  commu- 
nity. His  successor  belonged  to  another  synod,  and,  therefore, 
took  no  interest  in  our  school.  But  the  main  reason  of  failure 
was  the  want  of  faith  and  earnest  purpose  on  the  part  of  the 
Building  Committee.  They  were  instructed  to  go  forward  but 
they  hesitated,  postponed  and  lost. 


•GREENSBURG   SEMINARY.  33 

Some  members  of  the  Board  and  a  few  citizens,  never  ceased 
t®  regret  that  the  school  was  suspended,  the  building  that  was 
•undertaken,  given  up,  and  felt  that  a  mistake  had  been  made. 

The  Pittsburg  Synod  has  had  several  schools  within  its 
bounds;  one  under  Prof.  J.  R.  Titzel  at  Zelienople,  another  pros- 
perous one  at  Leechburg,  under  Prof.  D.  McKee,  and  in  1866 
Thiel  Hall  was  opened  at  Phillipsburg,  which  developed  into 
Thiel  College  ;  but  there  was  no  movement  on  the  old  classic 
Bunker  Hill  till  in  1874,  when  Prof,  Lucian  Cort  purchased  a  lot 
of  ground  from  the  Clopper  estate  and  erected  a  building  on  it. 
He  organized  the  school  that  year  under  very  fair  prospects  ot 
success,  as  a  Female  Seminary,  but,  later  on,  he  concluded  to 
admit  both  sexes.  It  was  known  as  the  Greensburg  Seminary. 
It  did  good  work  under  Piof.  Cort,  for  he  always  employed  good 
and  competent  teachers. 

The  school,  it  is  true,  was  never  large  numerically,  yet  quite 
a  number  of  young  men  and  young  w^omen  received  instruction 
during  the  fourteen  years  it  was  carried  on,  and  a  goodly  number 
were  graduated  at  its  shrine. 

The  Seminary,  under  Prof.  Cort,  was  for  a  number  of  years 
a  good  success  as  a  boarding  school,  and  this  enabled  him  to  pay 
his  eocpenses,  even  with  a  limited  number  of  pupils.  But  after 
years  of  toil  and  care  he  concluded  that  he  would  close  the 
school  and  dispose  of  the  property,  as  neither  he  nor  his  were 
getting   due  compensation  for  their  work. 

In  1888  he  made  a  proposition  to  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzraann 
and  E.  G.  Lund  to  lease  the  Seminary  for  three  years  with  an 
option  to  buy  at  the  end  of  that  time,  or  before,  at  $18,000. 
After  consulting  with  friends,  and  having  also  received  the 
endorsement  of  the  Southern  Conference,  these  brethren  entered 
into  an  agreement  with  Prof  Lucian  Cort  to  lease  the  Seminary, 
on  the  conditions  that  have  U.  en  stated  above.  Accordingly  they 
made  arrangements  for  the  reorganization  of  the  school,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1888  the  Seminary  was  opened  under  the  management 
of  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzmann  and  E.  G.  Lund,  with  the  following 
corps  of  instructors:  Prof.  Perry  A.  Shanor,  principal  and  teacher 
of  Latin  and  Literature ;  Rev.  E.   G.  Lund,  Mental   and   Moral 


34  CONFEPEXCK      HISTORY. 

vScience  ;  Rev.  J.  C  Kiinzmann,  German  Language  and  Liiera- 
ture;  Rev.  W.  H.  Zuber,  Natural  Science;  Prof.  J.  A.  Boord, 
History  and  Mathematics  ;  Miss  Lilly  Frederick,  Instrumental 
Music;  ?^Iiss  Elizabeth  Norcros.^,  Vocal  Music;  Miss  Alice 
Evans,  Drawing,  Painting  and  French  ;  Miss  Isabella  Coombs, 
Elcculion. 

The  school  opened  under  very  fair  auspices,  and  all  went 
fairly  well  for  a  time.  Prof.  Shanor  resigned  at  the  end  of  the 
fall  term,  and  soon  after  this  change  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund  withdrew 
from  tl;e  nianagement.  Prof.  J.  A.  Boord  was  put  in  charge  and 
the  Vv^ork  went  on  without  any  further  interruption  to  the  end  of 
the  yccir.  During  the  first  year  there  were  211  pupils  in  attend- 
ance in  all  departments.  All  in  all,  considering  that  it  was  anew 
undertaking,  the  school  had  made  a   fair  beginning. 

The  second  year  Prof.  J.  A.  Boord  was  elected  principal  and 
took  charge  of  the  school,  and  there  were  a  number  of  changes 
in  the  faculty.  Miss  Anna  Hippe  was  nifde  assistant  principal ; 
Miss  Bertha  Kunkleman  teacher  of  Latin  Language  and  Litera- 
ture ;  Mr.  J.  W.  Riedenour,  Commercial  branches,  and  Karl 
Retter  and  C.  K.  Craig  were  added  to  the  Music  Department. 
The  work  of  the  school  moved  on  fairly  well,  but  Prof.  Boord 
resigned  before  the  end  of  the  Fall  Term  and  entered  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Philadelphia,  and  Prof.  Geo.  E.  ^Markley  was 
acting  principal  during  the  rest  of  the  j'ear.  Faithful  work  was 
done  by  the  teachers  in  the  several  departments,  but  the  school 
had  lost  a  number  of  pupils,   which  was  a  discouraging  feature. 

In  the  meantime,  during  the  year  1889,  through  the  earnest 
efforts  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann  and  others,  the  Educational  So- 
ciety was  organized  and  chartered,  and  the  management  of  the 
school  w^as  entrusted  to  a  Board  of  Trustees,  elected  by  the  Edu- 
cational Socity.  It  was  during  this  year  that  the  board  closed  a 
contract  with  Prof.  Lucian  Cort  for  the  purchase  of  the  Semi- 
nary property  for  the  sum  of  $18,000.  A  subscription  of  $12,000 
was  raised,  and  bonds  were  placed  for  $14,000  on  the  property 
to  enable  the  Board  to  pay  in  part  for  the  property,  and,  also,  to 
make  some   necessary  improvements. 

Early  in  1890  Wm.  M.  Swingle,  Ph.  D.,  then  of  Kittanning, 


GREENSBURG   SEMINARY.  o5 

was  elected  principal  of  the  Seminary.  He  accepted  the  position 
to  commence  the  work  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  but  he  came  to 
Greensburgat  the  beginnini^:  of  the  Normal  term,  in  April,  and 
assisted  in  organizing  and  conducting  the  Normal  Department. 
In  the  fall  of  1890  Prof.  Swingle  took  charge  of  the  Semi- 
nary as  principal,  and  conducted  it  for  seven  years.  He  reor- 
ganized the  faculty,  and  then  also  organized  the  school,  as  a 
first-class  preparatory  and  normal  school,  with  music  and  busi- 
ness departments.  The  first  faculty  consisted  of  the  following 
persons  :  Prof.  Wm.  M.  Swingle,  teacher  of  Latin  and  Mathe- 
matics ;  Prof.  Geo.  E.  Merkley,  Greek,  literature  and  Short- 
hand ;  Rev.  Prof.  W.  H.  Zuber,  German  and  Natural  Sciences  ; 
Prot.  William  Jacobs,  Commercial  branches  ;  Miss  Josephine 
Merkley,  Common  branches  ;  Miss  Ada  D.  Smith,  Instrumental 
and  Vocal  Music;  Miss  Minnie  Nickum,  Art  and  Elocution. 

Prof.  Swingle  is  an  organizer,  and  he  built  up  a  good  school 
already  during  the  first  year.  There  were  290  pupils  in  attend- 
ance in  all  the  departments. 

The  next  year  about  the  same  teaching  force  was  retained, 
and  the  school  continued  to  prosper.  Sometime  in  1892  Mr. 
Wm.  Jacobs  resigned  and  Mr.  Grant  Pike  took  his  place.  This 
year's  roll  contained  the  names  of  335  pupils. 

In  the  Fall  of  1893  the  faculty  was  reorganized,  as  a  number 
of  changes  and  additions  were  made,  only  two  of  the  instructois 
remaining— Profs.  Swingle  and  Zuber.  Prof.  C.  Edgar  Reber, 
A.  B.,  became  teacher  of  Greek  and  Mathematics;  Prof.  Wm.  A. 
Rickenbrode,  of  Commercial  branches;  Miss  Katharine  M.  Ulery, 
of  Grammar  and  Elocution;  Miss  Mary  E.  B.  Kepple,  of  Short- 
hand and  Typewriting  and  Miss  Caroline  A.  Young  of  Instru- 
mental, and  Prof.  Joseph  Breil,  of  Vocal  Mu^ic,  and  Miss  Eouise 
J.  Kurtz,  of  Art  and  History.  During  this  year  332  pupils  were 
in  attendance  in  all  departments.  The  number  of  normal  pupils 
and  the  Business  College  had  made  it  necessary  to  rent  a  hall  in 
town  for  several  years  ;  therefore,  early  in  the  spring  of  1S94,  a 
hall  was  built  on  the  grounds  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Normal  Department,  and,  also,  as  an  audi- 
torium for  literary  and    musical    exercises  and  entertainments. 


$6  CONFKKE??CE   HISTORV. 

It  is  now  occupied  by  the  Business  College.  Daring  thfs  5-ear 
also  close  relations  were  established  between  the  vSeininary  atid 
Thiel  College.  A  number  of  additional  members  were  elected 
into  the  Educational  Society.  President  T.  B.  Roth,  D.  D., 
Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  Jr.,  Dr.  J.  T.  Ambrose,  and  others,  were 
elected.  In  the  spring  ot  1895  Prof.  J.  C.  Hoch,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D., 
was  elected  teacher  of  Greek,  German,  and  Mathematics.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  Prof.  Alvan  V.  Leech  Avas  elected 
as  teacher  of  the  Business  College,  as  the  Commercial  De- 
partment was  now  called;  Miss  Leola  R.  Edn'ards,  of  the  Mu- 
sic Department.  Messrs.  Rothleder,  Abt  and  Isensee  were  also 
added  to  the  musical  teaching  force,  giving  lessons  in  violin, 
mandolin  and  voice  culture.  During  1895  the  Business  Depart- 
ment was  enlarged  and  fully  equipped  with  regular  Business 
College  apparatus. 

There  were  320  pupils  in  attendance  this  year  in  all  depart- 
ments, and  about  the  same  number  the  next  year  under  the  same 
teachers.  In  the  spring  of  1897  Dr.  Wm.  M,  Swingle  resigned 
and  accepted  a  position  as  superintendent  of  the  Railway  Public 
Schools,  and,  later,  he  filled  the  same  position  at  Orange,  N.  J. 
During  the  seven  years  of  Dr.  Swingle's  administration,  the 
Seminary  made  substantial  progress.  It  was  organized  on  a 
popular  basis  in  the  several  departments.  A  regular  course  of 
study  was  introduced  in  the  Classical  department,  with  a  view 
to  preparing  students  to  regularly  enter  school  of  a  higher  grade. 
Since  1895  a  class  has  been  graduated  each  year  ranging  from 
35  to  40  pupils  in  all  departments.  The  Business  College  was 
more  fully  organized  and  the  Musical  and  Normal  departments 
were  carried  on  successfully. 

In  the  fall  of  1897  Prof.  J.  C.  Hoch,  Ph.  D.,  was  elected 
principal  of  the  Seminary,  and  he  is  still  the  successful  head  of 
the  school.  In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned,  the  Board 
elected  Henry  S.  Gill  and  H.  E.  Daugherty  teacheis  of  Latin. 
Greek  and  English  branches. 

The  Seminar)^  had  a  successful  year  in  1897,  and  also  in 
1898,  301  pupils  being  in  attendance  in  all  departments.  In 
1898-99,  Prof.  Gill  and  Daugherty  having  resigned,  Prof.  0.  F. 


GREENSBURG   SEMINARY.  37 

H.  Bert,  B.  S. ,  was  chosen  teacher  of  Mathematics  and  Science, 
and  Victor  Laurent  took  the  place  of  Mr.  Isensee  in  Voice 
Culture.  During  1898  the  number  of  pupils  was  263 — 59  Class- 
ical, 71  Normal,   88  Business  and  68  Musical, 

In  1 899- 1 900  Miss  Katharine  M,  Ulery  and  Alvan  V.  Leech 
h'iving  resigned,  John  S.  Hart,  A.  B. ,  and  E.  E.  Gard  were 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancies.  The  year  ending  June  1900,  was 
about  equally  as  successful  as  the  preceding  year,  268  pupils 
being  in  attendance,  and  a  large  class  was  graduated.  In  the 
summer  of  1900  Rev  Prof.  W.  H.  Zuber,  who  had  been  pastor 
in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  for  a  number  of  years,  was  called  to  labor 
in  connection  with  the  Seminary. 

The  year  that  has  just  closed  (1901)  has,  in  some  particu- 
lars, been  one  of  the  most  prosperous  in  all  the  history  of  Greens- 
burg  Seminary.  Its  earnings  have  been  ^7,591,  and  its  outlay 
$6,085,  leaving  a  net  balance  of  $1,506.  The  number  of  pupils 
is  257  in  all  departments:  Classical  and  Normal,  115;  Business, 
42;  MusiCj  76.  The  graduating  class  numbered  35.  It  is  grati- 
fying to  know  that  during  the  last  year,  with  the  aid  Synod 
gp.ve,  all  expenses  were  paid  and  the  debt  reduced  $2,000. 

The  purpose  of  the  Seminary  is  well  expres.-)ed  in  its  charter: 
"The  purposes  for  which  this  corporation  is  formed  are,  the 
advancement  of  education  and  the  establishment  and  mainte- 
nance of  a  school  or  institution  for  the  higher  Christian  educa- 
tion of  pupils,  and  to  conduct  and  promote  the  same  in  harmony 
with  the  Word  of  God,  as  set  forth  in  the  Book  of  Concord  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church."  We  see  clearly  from  this 
article  that  the  Lutheran  character  ot  this  institution  has  the 
genuine  ring,  and  gives  no  uncertain  sound.  No  one  can  become 
a  member  of  the  Educational  Society,  or  have  any  voice  in  the 
management  of  the  school,  who  is  not  in  accord  with  the  faith 
of  our  church  as  set  forth  in  our  symbols.  Therefore,  the 
Greensburg  Seminary  is  as  truly  a  Lutheran  school  as  Thiel 
College,  or  any  other  classical  or  literary  institution  of  our  church. 
Mathematics,  Classics,  Science  and  Literature  in  them.selves 
have  no  denominational  character,  yet  every  school  that  is 
worthy  of  our  confidence,  has  a  religious  tone  and  character.     If 


38  CONFERENCE   HISTORY.   . 

a  Presbyterian  school,  it  has  a  Presbyterian  type;  if  a  Methodist, 
a  Methodist  type;  if  a  Roman  Catholic,  a  Roman  Ca'rholic  type; 
and  if  [yUtheran,  it  must  have  a  Lutheran  type.  The  Seminary 
has  pupils  of  all  denominations,  and  gladlj^  welcomes  them  all 
and  does  not  interfere  with  their  religious  faith  or  their  politics. 
When,  however,  there  is  occasion,  as  there  is  not  unfrequently, 
to  give  utterance  to  sentiments  regarding  morality  and  religion, 
it  is  done  in  accordance  with  the  lyUtheran  confessions.  The 
religious  worship  conducted  in  the  institution  is  according  to 
Lutheran  forms. 

For  the  informotion  of  all  persons  not  acquainted  with  the 
control  of  the  institution,  we  will  give  the  names  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  corporation,  and  also  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
The  corporation  is  known  as  "The  Educational  Society  of  West- 
moreland County." 

The  members  of  this  society  are  :  Mr.  John  Rugh,  president; 
Mr.  Fridolin  Miller,  secretary;  Hon.  Geo.  F.  Huff,  treasurer, 
Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  D.  D.,  A.  L-  Yount,  D.  D.,  W.  J. 
Miller,  G.  G.  Ruff.  T.  B.  Roth,  D.  D.,  W.  H.  Zuber,  R.  M. 
Zimmerman,  W.  F.  Ulery,  and  Messrs.  W.  S.  Loucks,  W.  A. 
Griffith,  Esq.,  Leonard  Keck,  H.  M.  Zundel,  J.  T.  Ambrose,  M. 
D.,  and  Daniel  Shuster. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  consists  of  the  following:  Rev.  J.  C. 
Kunzmann,  D.  D.,  president;  Rev.  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D.,  secre- 
tary; Rev.  W.  J.  Miller,  Mr.  John  Rugh,  Mr.  Leonard  Keck 
and  W.   A.  Griffith,   Esq. 

Since  the  Seminary  has  been  under  the  present  management 
over  3,500  pupils  have  attended,  and  250  have  been  graduated  in 
all  departments.  There  have  been  at  least  1,800  different  pupils 
in  attendance,  and  if  we  include  the  whole  period  of  the  history 
of  the  school,  we  are  safe  in  estimating  that  over  5,000  pupils 
have  attended  and  have  been  instructed  during  these  years. 
Many  have  been  here  who  are  now  in  the  learned  professions, 
others  are  teachers,  and  not  a  few  are  filling  other  important 
callings. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  has  now  undertaken  to  put  the 
school   on  a  firm  financial  basis,  by  liquidating  its  indebtednes 


GREENSBURG   SEMINARY,  39 

and  creating  an  Endowment  Fund.  Rev.  John  Telleen,  D.  D., 
of  Rock  Island,  111.,  is  now  engaged  in  this  important  work. 
He  has  made  a  good  beginning  the  short  time  he  has  been  at  it, 
and  it  is  sincerely  hoped  that  he  will  be  eminently  successful  in 
his  undertaking. 

The  Board  of  Directors  have  two  very  desirable  and  lauda- 
ble objects  in  view  in  appointing  a  solicitor  for  the  Seminary. 
They  ar^  anxious  to  place  the  school  on  a  firm  and  substantial 
financial  basis,  and  free  it  from  all  pecuniary  embarrassment, 
which  always  cripples  it  and  hinders  its  usefulness  and  progress. 
Then  their  plan  is  to  enlarge  the  sphere  and  influence  of  the 
school  by  increasing  its  facilities.  This  means  more  room,  better 
equipments  and  a  larger  faculty. 

To  accomplish  this  the  Board  has  thought  it  wise  to  employ 
a  competent  man  who  is  authorized  and  inst  'ucted  to  bring  the 
interests  of  the  Seminary  before  the  churches  of  the  Southern 
Conference.  To  present  the  aims  and  the  claims  of  this  school 
in  an  official  way  before  our  people,  and  give  them  such  informa- 
tion concerning  it  as  will  be  calculated  to  awaken  a  new  interest 
in  the  school,  and  to  stimulate  their  patronage  and  their  liber- 
ality toward  it. 


40  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

EARI^Y    HISTORY 

OF 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Westmoreland 
County  and  Adjoining  Parts. 


ri^HE  history  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  Western  Pennsylva- 
j  nia  reaches  back  over  120  years,  but  the  early  beginnings 
-^  are  diflficult  to  trace,  as  only  imperfect  records  of  those 
times  have  been  preserved  and  handed  down. 

Its  origin  here  is  like  the  course  of  a  mountain  stream  that 
winds  its  way  unseen  amid  woods  and  forest  until  it  comes  into 
the  open  country.  Its  beginnings  were  small  and  obscure,  but 
it  has  gradually  developed  into  its  present  status  and  influence. 

lyUtheran  families  came  from  Eastern  counties  of  our  State, 
and  from  the  Fatherland,  to  Western  Pennsylvania  before  West- 
moreland county  was  erected.  The  Altmans,  Detars,  Eisamans, 
Gongawares,  Harrolds,  Longs,  Millers,  Rughs,  and  Rowes  set- 
tled in  Hempfield  township  between  1762  and  1770.  To  these 
may  be  added  the  AUemans,  Ottermans,  Marchands,  Ehrenfriedts, 
Hufnagles,  Rosensteels,  Kemps,  Kuhns,  Haines,  Hubers,  Baugh- 
mans,  Corts,  Byerlys,  Strohs,  Trubys,  Buergers  and  Myers. 

No  ofl&cial  or  reliable  church  record  has  been  preserved  of 
the  manner  and  progress  of  their  settlement.  But  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  county  gives  us  some   assistance. 

Soon  after  Fort  Ligonier  was  established  (in  1758)  a  number 
of  settlers  (among  whom  were  some  Lutherans)  located  at  sev- 
eral points  now  included  in  Westmoreland  county.  In  the 
spring  of  1769,  after  the  treaty  with  the  Indians  at  Fort  Stan- 
wix,  New  York  (Nov.  1768),  when  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania 
purchased  all  the  lands  west  of  the  Laurel  Hill  and  declared  it 
open  for  settlement,  a  great  rush  was    made  for  this  land    by 


MH.  .IDIIX   ];i'(l[F 


Mi;.    LKOXARl)  KEUIC 


\V.  A.  GIUFFITII,  i:sg 


Prof.  J.  C  lUirll 


MISS  LEO  LA  R    EDWARDS 


MISS  ^L\KV   L.   P..  KEPPLE 


MISS  KATHARINE  M.  ULERY 


FROE.  O.  F.  H.  BERT 


A.   I).   POTTS 


J.  SAKVKK 


JESSK  Dl'NN 


E.  (i.  H'ND 


G,  S.  SKAMAN 


C.  S.  SKA.NfAX 


I.  K.  \v]smi:k 


.1.  A.  BOORI) 


W.  R.  SWICKART) 


11:A   .\r.  WALT.ACK 


W.M.   l'.   liAlKlt 


liKl^TKL 


EARLY    HISTORY.  4 1 

many  settlers,  among  whom  were  not  a  few  German  Lutherans. 
With  these  German  pioneers,  in  the  spring  of  1769,  came  Balt- 
hazer  M>er,  a  Lutheran  sclioohnaster,  who  located,  with  many 
other  Germans,  in  the  Zion  settlement,  now  called  Harrold's, 
three  miles  southwest  of  Grcensburg.  This  was  a  close  settle- 
ment and  prosperous  ;  but  was  greatly  hindered  by  the  Indian 
wars,  and  later  by  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  as  not  a  few  of  the 
male  members  of  the  community  served  as  soldiers.  In  such 
cases  the  members  of  the  families  left  at  home  had  many  trials 
and  hardships  and  had  to  exercise  great  self-denial.  The  inter- 
ests of  the  church  suffered  great  loss  by  the  burdens  of  the  war. 

There  were  settlements  also  of  German  families  in  several 
other  localities  soon  after  the  erection  of  the  county  (1773). 
The  Allshouses,  the  Bushyagers,  the  Zundels,  the  Walthours, 
(Waldhauers),  the  Whiteheads  (Weisskopfs),  the  Painters  (Ben- 
ders) the  Marchands,  Drys,  Drums,  Henrys,  Kunkles,  Kifers, 
Millers  and  others  in  ihe  Brush  Creek  congregation;  the  Berlins, 
Brinkers,  Eberhardts,  Kemerers,  Kepples,  Knappenbergers,  Sny- 
ders,  Lauffers  Finks  and  others  in  the  Manor  settlement.  And 
we  might  name  many  at  Kindig's,  St.  John's,  Swope's,  Zion's, 
Ridge,  St.  Paul's  Mt.  Pleasant,  Brandt's,  Donegal,  Hoffman's 
and  Indian  Creek,  as  well  as  Yockey's  and  Hill's,  but  we  will 
speak  of  these  moie  in  detail  when  we  shall  give  the  history  of 
these  congregations.  The  history  of  the  Lutheran  church  runs 
parallel  with  the  history  of  the  county. 

It  may  be  proper  to  state  here  that  these  German  settle- 
ments were  composed  largely  of  members  of  the  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  churches,  and  as  in  those  early  times,  when  this  county 
was  thinly  settled,  communities  being  small  and  the  people  being 
generally  in  limited  circumstances,  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  build 
and  support  churches. 

It  was  also  difficult  to  get  suitable  ministers,  and  neither  de- 
nomination was  well  able  to  support  a  minister,  if  even  one  could 
be  gotten.  Hence  the  members  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
churches  associated  together.  They  were  drawn  together  by 
language  and  nationality,  as  well  as  by  Christian  fellowship,  and 
by  such   circumstances   as   seemed   to    them    to  be  a  necessity. 


42  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

because  neither  was  able  to  support  a  chui-cb  alone,  and  tliey  were 
often  but  poorly  able  to  support  one  wlisn  they  were  united. 
Hence  it  came  to  pass  that  these  two  German  churches  bought 
and  held  property  in  common,  and  built  churches  which  they 
owned  and  used  jointly,  generally  known  in  our  times  as  "Union 
Churches."  This  seemed  the  most  natural  thing  for  the  fathers 
to  do  in  those  times. 

It  became  snch  a  fixed  rule  among  the  primitive  people  that, 
later  on,  when  this  necessity  no  longer  existed,  our  lyUtheran 
people  thought  that  they  could  not  build  a  church,  or  own  a 
piece  of  church  property  without  giving  an  interest  to  the  Re- 
formed. There  are  cases,  no  doubt,  where  the  Reformed  made 
overtures  to  the  Lutherans.  In  many  cases,  no  doubt,  the  prac- 
tice was  justifiable  for  the  time,  but  in  not  a  few  it  was  a  mis- 
take. We  know  cases  where  an  interest  was  given,  or  offered  to 
the  Reformed,  where  no  organization  existed  to  accept  it.  For 
many  years  this  practice  continued,  not  only  here,  but  all  over 
our  State,  wherever  the  Germans  settled.  They  formed  one 
community ;  they  worshipped  in  the  same  church,  knelt  and 
commimed  at  the  same  altar.  The  ministers  preached  from  the 
same  pulpit,  used  one  Bible,  one  hymn  book,  and  agenda,  as 
well  as  the  communion  and  baptismal  service.  They  had  all 
things  in  common,  and  became  joined  together  by  strong  ties  of 
Christian  fellowship  and  love.  They  were  intermarried  ;  they 
lived  together  and  were  buried  together  in  the  same  God's  acre. 
We  must  admire  the  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  of  those  peo- 
ple. They  were  unlike  many  of  the  present  generation  who, 
when  they  migrate,  leave  their  Bibles  and  prayer  books,  as  well  as 
their  church  love  behind.  They  brought  Bibles,  catechisms  and 
hymn  books,  as  well  as  their  religion  and  church  love  with  them. 
They  did  not  cease  to  worship  God  because  they  had  migrated 
far  from  home,  nor  did  they  neglect  to  worship,  because  tney  had 
no  church  and  no  minister.  They  met  in  private  houses  (some- 
times in  barns)  and  one  of  their  number  would  lead  the  devo- 
tions. When  the  community  had  a  schoolmaster,  as  was  often 
the  case,  he  was  by  common  consent  and  special  election,  made 
a  lay  preacher  who  conducted  the  services,  which  consisted    of 


EARLY   HISTORY.  43 

the  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  singing  and  prayer,  reading  a  ser- 
mon, or  a  suitable  address  was  made,  so  that  the  people  were  in- 
structed and  edified.  When  no  ordained  minister  could  be 
secured,  the  schoolmaster  was  requested  and  authorized  by  the 
congregation  to  baptize  the  children. 

Looking  at  the  unity  and  harmony  between  these  two  de- 
nominations one  might  ask  what  is  the  difference  between  them  ? 
The  original  difference  between  the  lyUtheran  and  Reformed 
churches  was  in  not  a  few  cases  almost  entirely  obliterated. 
No  doubt  the  ministers  made  not  a  few  concessions  for  the  sake 
of  peace  and  good  will. 

In  many  respects  those  were  good  old  times,  and  those  of 
the  fathers  who  remember  them  like  to  talk  about  them.  But 
v^e  of  the  present  generation  think  the  fathers  were  quite  slow 
and  unprogressive.  We  wonder  whether,  if  we  had  lived  then 
and  had  to  meet  all  the  hindrances  and  trials  of  those  times, 
we  would  have  done  half  as  well. 

In  tracing  this  history  we  are  sorry  to  say  that  the  meagre 
and  imperfect  records  of  those  early  times  render  it  very  difficult 
to  give  a  satisfactory  account  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  make 
it  impossible  to  trace  the  origin  and  progress  of  those  old  con- 
gregations with  minuteness  and  accuracy.  We  know  that 
congregations  existed;  we  know  too  that  they  were  founded 
early,  and  we  conclude  from  the  best  information  that  we  can 
gain  that  where  members  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church- 
es settled  in  sufficient  numbers  in  the  same  vicinity,  they 
associated  themselves  together  in  a  religious  assembly  and 
engaged  ia  worship,  and  by  common  consent  constituted  them- 
selves into  a  Christian  Church,  without  a  formal  organization, 
without  a  charter  or  even  a  written  constitution.  In  many  of 
these  congregations  we  can  find  neither  written  constitution 
nor  record  of  the  organization,  nor  of  any  official  acts  of  the 
congregacions  for  the  early  years  of  their  history. 

Congregations  formed  what  we  have  called  provisional  organ- 
izations. They  agreed  by  resolution  or  article  of  agreement  to 
organize  a  congregation  and  completed  this  organization  by  the 
election  of  officers  and  choosing  a  pastor,  and  the  church  council 


44  SOUTHERN   CONFKRKNCE. 

was  expected  to  make  all  other  arrangements  for  the  conducting 
ol  divine  worship.  In  some  cases  the  church  ordinance — Kirch- 
en  Ordninig — in  the  German  Hymn  Book,  was  adopted  as  the 
organic  law  of  the  congregation,  Having  this  the  people 
thought  no  otlier  constitution  was  needed,  hence  we  find  none. 

In  the  congregation  of  Harrold's  and  Brush  Creek,  which 
were  commenced  quite  early  (between  1 772-1 780),  baptisms  were 
performed  and  religious  services  conducted  by  schoolmasters,  to 
Avhom  reference  has  been  made.  At  Harrold's,  Old  Zion,  a  con- 
gregation was  gathered  as  early  as  1772,  and  there  is  a  record  of 
baptisms  by  such  an  evangelist  as  we  have  spoken  of  above, 

Balthazar  Myers,  a  schoolmaster,  conducted  services  and 
baptized  children  from  1772  to  1782,  during  which  time  the  con- 
gregation was  without  a  regular  pastor. 

As  communities  were  small  and  the  people  were  generally  in 
limited  circumstances,  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  build  and  support 
churches.  It  was  also  difficult  to  get  suitable  ministers  and 
neither  denomination  was  well  able  to  support  a  minister  if  even 
one  could  be  gotten. 

In  the  Brush  Creek  congregation,  which  was  commenced 
soon  after  Harrold's  church  v^'as  built,  similar  services  were  con- 
ducted by  schoolmasters  Bushyager  and  Zundel  until  a  permanent 
pastor  was  secured. 

In  German  township,  Faj'ette  county,  a  Lutheran  settlement 
was  made  about  the  same  time  as  that  of  Zion  settlement  in 
Westmoreland  county,  and  a  congregation  was  organized  and  ser- 
vices were  conducted  for  several  3'ears  just  as  they  were  in  Old 
Zion  and  Brush  Creek.  Rev.  Father  Stoucli  came  to  this  church 
in  1 79 1,  but  the  congregation  had  existed  for  more  than  ten 
years  before  his  arrival. 

Father  Stouch  served  several  other  German  settlements  be- 
sides \he  one  in  German  township,  Fayette  county.  He  served  a 
congregation  at  Morgantown,  also  one  at  Redstone,  now  Biowns- 
ville,  and  another  in  Greene  county,  near  Greensboro.  Both  of 
the  latter  have,  owing  to  our  neglect,  been  lost  to  us,  and  we 
only  quite  recently  reclaimed  and  regained  our  place  in  Morgan- 
town,    W.  Va.     Of  this   we   will   speak    more   fully  under    the 


EARLY    HISTORY.  45 

Morgaiitown  congregation.  The  first  I,utheran  minister  who 
settled  in  Westmoreland  county  was  Rev.  Anthonj-  Ulrich  L,uetge 
who  was  German  b}'  birth  and  education,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  17S2  as  a  missionary. 

He  took  charge  of  the  Harrold's  congregation,  which  he 
more  fully  organized,  and  finished  the  church,  which  had 
been  begun  ten  years  before  he  came.  It  was  very  primitive  in 
all  its  appointments.  It  was  built  of  logj,  with  hewn  logs  for 
seats  and  a  floor  of  puncheon — logs  split  in  halves — and  was  u.sed 
as  a  school  house  as  well  as  a  church.  He  secured  a  tract  of 
land  for  Harrold's  congregation  as  a  glebe,  which  was,  later  on, 
held  jointly  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations. 
Rev.  Luetge  also  ministered  to  the  Brush  Creek  congregation, 
as  well  as  to  the  congregation  in  Greensburg,  St.  Paul's,  or 
Ridge,  and  several  other  points. 

After  the  burning  of  Hannastown  (1782)  a  state  road  was 
laid  out  from  Fort  L,igonier  to  Pittsburg  by  way  of  Greeirsburg, 
then  called  Newtown.  December,  1785,  Newtown  was  made 
the  county  seat  of  Westmoreland  county,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1786  a  court  house  was  built,  and  in  September  of  the  same 
year,  bj'  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  the  town  was  called  Greens- 
burg in  honor  of  General  Greene. 

A  school  house  had  been  built  near  the  spring,  in  St. 
Clair  cemetery,  which  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  as  well  as 
for  a  school.  Here,  no  doubt,  the  Lutheran  congregation  held 
services  till  they  could  build  a  church  for  their  owrr  use.  After 
having  served  this  field  for  nine  years,  Rev.  A.  Ulrich  Luetge 
resigned  on  account  of  failing  health. 

Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  also  from  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsvl- 
vania,  became  his  successor,  and  settled  in  Greensburg  in  the 
autumn  of  1792.  He  carried  on  the  work  which  had  been 
begun  by  his  predecessor,  with  great  energy  and  eminent 
success,  being  then  in  the  prime  of  life.  He  labored  in  this 
field  for  38  years  and  died  in  1830  at  the  age  of  74  years. 

His  mantle  fell  on  his  son.  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  who  was 
so  well  and  so  favorably  known  to  all  our  churches  in  this 
county.     When  Rev.  John  M.  Steck   located   in  direensburg,  he 


46'  CONFERKNCie   HISTOieV. 

found  only  two  congregations  that  had  been  fully  organized, 
namely  Harrold's  and  Brush  Creek.  A  few  years  after  his- 
arrival  he  perfected  the  organization  of  the  First  church,  Greens- 
burg,  and  also  St.  Paul's,  Mt.  Pleasant  township.  He  or- 
ganized St,  John's  (Kintig's),  Zion's  (Swope's),  in  the  closing 
years  of  the  i8th  century,  and  early  in  the  19th  century  he 
organized  the  Manor  church  (1809)  also  St.  James  and  others. 

These  congregations  and  a  number  of  stations  constituted 
Father  Steck's  parish  during  the  many  years  of  his  ministry. 
His  son,  Michael  J.,  rendered  some  assistance  for  a  .short  time,, 
while  engaged  in  study  and  before  he  accepted  a  call  to  Lancaster, 
O.,  in  181 7.  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  also  rendered  some  assistance 
while  yet  a  theological  student,  and  after  his  licensure  in  1820 
he  became  his  co-worker  in  this  vast  field.  He  took  charge  of 
Haukey's  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  the  Forks,  West 
Newton,  and  Hoffnung's  Kirche  in  the  western  part,  Donegal 
and  Brandt's  in  the  southern  part,  and  later  on  Kintig's,  Swope's, 
Ridge  and  Youngstown  in  central  part,  and  the  rest  of  the 
county  constituted  the  Greensburg  parish  during  the  remain- 
ing years  of  Rev.  Steck's  ministry;  but  the  principal  congre- 
gations of  this  important  parish  were  the  First  church,  Greens- 
burg, Harrold's,  Brush  Creek  and  Manor,  with  a  number  of 
stations  and  preaching  points. 

An  account  of  the  several  churches  of  this  parish,  as  well  as 
of  the  other  churches  of  the  conference,  will  be  found  in  the 
history  of  individual  congregations  embraced  in  the  next 
chapter. 


•SOUTHERN  conference;.  47 

HISTORY 

OF     THE 

Individual  Parishes  and  Congregations, 


T.     FIRST  KVANGKLICAIv   LUTHERAN  CHURCH, 
GREENSBURG,  PA. 

S  the  First  Church  of  Greensburg  has  been  a  leading  con- 
gregation, and  has  exerted  an  important  influence  on  the 
character  and  history  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  this 
county  ever  since  the  church's  organization  under  the  ministry 
of  Rev,  John  Michael  Steck,  we  will  give  the  history  of  this 
church  first,  though  it  is  not  the  oldest  congregation. 

This  congregation  was,  without  doubt,  provisionally  oran- 
ized  as  early  as  1786  and  was  ministered  to  by  Rev.  A.  Ulrich 
Luetge,  who  lived  in  theZion  (Harrold's)  settlement,  of  which 
mention  has  been  made  in  the  former  chapter.  As  has  been 
stated,  in  1784  a  school  house  was  built  by  general  subscription 
in  St.  Clair  cemetery,  near  the  well-known  spring.  This  house 
was  used  for  a  school  and  as  a  house  of  worship.  Here,  no  doubt, 
services  were  held  by  Rev.  Euetge,  and  later,  also  perhaps  in  the 
new  court  house,  which  was  also  used  for  religious  services. 
These  buildings  were  used  by  our  people,  as  well  as  those  of 
the  Reformed  congregation,  until  a  church  was  built.  We  know 
that  a  congregation  existed  here  before  1790,  but  we  have  no 
record  of  the  date  of  its  organization.  The  first  official  record 
that  has  come  down  to  us  is  an  application  for  a  minister  in 
1782,  and  from  the  history  of  the  Reformed  church,  we  learn 
that  already  in  1784  four  congregations  existed,  of  which  that  at 
Greensburg  must  have  been  one. 

In  August,  1792,  a  joint  meeting  of  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed congregations  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  electing  trus- 


48  CONFEKKNCE    HISTORY. 

tees  to  purchase  property  as  a  site  for  a  church  and  ground  for 
a  ^^aveyard.  The  records  of  the  Court  House  shoT^'  that  the 
followinjv  named  persons  were  elected,  namely:  Peter  Rugh, 
Philip  Kuhns,  Duwalt  Mechling,  T^udwig^  Odermau,  John  P. 
Miller  and  William  Best,  on  the  part  of  the  Lutherans,  and 
Christojilier  Trul)y,  Simon  Drum,  Jr.,  Henry  Hiesle)-,  William 
Barnhart  Daniel  Turney  (Dorney)  and  John  Wensel  on  the 
part  of  the  Refotmed,  thcni  also  called  Calvanists.  These  trus- 
tees, under  this  authority,  purcha.sed  from  Chrisloph'^r  Truby, 
on  February  28th,  1795,  for  four  pounds  and  ten  shillings,  a 
town  lot  and  a  half,  90x100  fee',  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Third 
streets.  On  the  same  day  they  also  bought  from  Christopher 
Trub}'  and  John  Peter  Miller,  for  four  pounds  and  ten  shillings, 
two  acres  and  66  perches  on  South  ^lain  street  for  a  burying 
ground.  It  will  be  observed,  they  did  not  make  the  pur- 
chases for  nearly  three  yea^s  after  the  authority  and  instructions 
were  given  by  the  congregations,  and  we  naturally  inquire  why 
this  long  delay,  since  the  need  of  a  church  '.vas  a  pressing  one 
and  its  supply  much  desired  by  the  congregations.  The  reason 
for  this  delay  is  plain  when  we  remember  the  conditions  of  this 
part  of  our  state  at  that  time.  A  historian  says:  "There  was 
a  state  of  uncertainty  and  excitement  prevailing  in  the  south- 
western counties  of  our  state  duiing  these  yeurs.  because  of  the 
uprising  commonly  called  the  Whiskej' Insurrection."  It  orig- 
inated from  what  many  of  the  people  believed  to  be  discrimi- 
nating and  unjust  excise  laws.  For  a  time,  life  and  property 
were  in  danger.  "There  were  even  threats  of  establishing  an 
independent  government."  This  disturbance  had  a  most  de- 
pressing effect  on  all  business,  and,  ofcour.se,  affected  the  church 
in  like  manner.  But  in  1795  a  log  church  was  built  on  the  lot 
that  had  been  purchased.  It  was  rude  and  primitive  in  all  its 
appointments.  The  floor  was  puncheon,  and  rough  benches 
.served  the  purpose  of  pews.  A  plain  pulpit  and  altar  graced 
the  chancel,  but  there  were  no  arrangements  for  heating.  This 
was  the  first  church  built  in  Greensburg. 

After  Rev.  John  M.  Steck    took  charge   of   this   field,    and 
began  his  effective  ministry,  the   congregation   was   more    fully 


FIRST   CHURCH,    GREENSBURG.  49 

organized,  and  the  church  grew  in  strength  and  eflSciency,  as 
sei vices  were  regularly  conducted  and  the  local  conditions  were 
also  more  favorable. 

On  May  15,  181 8,  another  lot,  adjoining  the  one  on  which 
the  First  church  stood,  was  purchased  from  Mr.  Ehrenfreidt 
for  $300  as  a  site  for  a  new  church.  The  work  of  building  was 
begun  at  once  and  this  church  stood  for  some  60  years,  till  1883, 
when  the  present  magnificent  building  took  its  place.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  in  the  summer  of  18 15  by  pastors  Steck 
and  Weber.  The  building  committee  were:  Jacob  Turney  and 
Andrew  Cressinger  (L,utheran),  and  Henry  Welty  and  Simon 
Drum  (Reformed). 

Though  earnest  efforts  were  made  on  the  part  of  the  com- 
mittee to  raise  money  for  its  completion,  the  work  was  delayed 
for  want  of  means  and  materials.  The  scarcity  of  money  and 
the  stringency  of  the  times  that  followed,  as  the  result  of  the 
War  of  181 2,  made  it  difficult  to  raise  money  for  any  purpose. 
Owing  to  this  embarrassing  condition  of  the  country,  which 
lasted  for  several  years,  the  church  was  not  finished  until  1820, 
and  then  it  was  so  much  in  debt  that  the  trustees  deemed  it 
necessary  to  sell  the  lot  on  which  the  old  church  stood,  at  the 
corner  of  South  Main  and  Third  streets,  to  raise  money  to  pay 
for  the  church.  It  was  sold  in  1821  to  the  congregations  of 
the  Reformed  parish  as  a  site  for  a  parsonage,  for  $461,  which 
amount  was  not  fully  paid  for  ten  years. 

In  1829  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  was  called  as  assistant  to 
his  father  in  his  large  parish;  but  he  served  less  than  one  year 
in  this  associated  relation  as  co-pastor  till  the  whole  weight  of 
duty  and  responsibility  of  the  parish  fell  upon  him. 

In  the  autumn  of  1830  the  venerable  Father  John  M.  Steck 
was  gathered  to  his  fathers  and  Michael  J.  became  sole  pastor 
of  the  parish,  and  filled  this  place  with  earnest  fidelity  and 
universal  acceptance.  Both  as  a  preacher  and  a  pastor  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck  was  esteemed  and  beloved,  as  his  venerable 
father  had  been;  the  work  prospered  in  his  hands,  the  congre- 
gation grew  in  numbers  and  increased  in  financial  ability 
and  liberality. 


50  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  years  a  desire  was  expressed  for  better 
music  in  the  congregation,  and  to  this  end  it  was  deemed  by  all 
lovers  of  music  that  a  pipe  organ  would  be  a  great  help.  The 
organ  question  was  discussed,  and,  though  it  met  with  stout 
opposition  on  the  part  of  a  few,  for  musical  instruments  were  not 
popular  in  the  churches  at  that  time,  the  congregation  decided 
to  purcliase  the  organ,  which  was  done,  and  it  was  the  first  organ 
etected  in  Grecnsburg.  This  congregation  also  had  the  first 
church  bell  in  the  tov^'u.  Messrs.  Stark  and  Minehart  built  the 
organ  in  1S45,  at  a  cost  of  $800. 

This  new  departure  caused  no  little  criticism,  both  in  the 
congregation  and  outside,  for  few  thought  then  that  people  could 
worship  God  with  musical  instruments  as  well  as  with  the  voice. 
It  is  pleasing  to  note  that  the  sentiment  of  the  people  has  under- 
gone a  great  change  since  that  time.  Even  the  straitest  sects 
now  use  organs  and  other  musical  instruments. 

Mr.  John  Sp'"inger  was  the  first  organist.  Joseph  Huber 
followed  him  in  that  office. 

This  congregation  also  owned  a  school  house,  in  which  a 
German  school  was  conducted  for  many  years.  Father  Scheibler, 
a  Revolutionarj^  soldier,  taught  this  school  for  a  time,  but  by  and 
by  the  school  declined  and  the  school  hous^  was  sold,  thus  closing 
the  school.  But  early  in  the  fifties  Jacob  Buerger  left  a  bequest  cf 
$4,500  to  the  congregations  of  the  German  church,  to  be  used  for 
a  German  school,  and  partly  for  church  purposes.  This  money 
was  placed  in  the  hands  of  trustees.  The  first  were  John  Kuhns 
and  Simon  Drum.  Ivater  it  was  entrusted  to  Josiah  J.  Mechling 
and  Samuel  Truxal.  In  the  division  of  the  property  the  Buerger 
money  was  also  divided  and  given  with  its  conditions  to  the 
Trustees  of  the  two  churches,  who  still  hold  it  in  trust. 

This  Buerger  bequest,  being  partly  given  for  German  schools 
gave  a  new  impulse  to  the  German  school  idea,  but  in  a  fewj-ears 
this  influence  passed  away  before  the  strong  anglicising  process 
that  was  going  on  and    moulding   the   people    according  to  its 
American  ideas. 

Later  on  not  a  few  of  the  members,  and  especially  of  the 
younger  portion,  desired  English  services.     The  demand  became 


FIRST   CHURCH,    GREENSBURG.  5I 

SO  urgent  and  the  need  so  imperative,  that  it  could  no  longer  be 
denied.  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  was  in  full  sympathy  with  those 
who,  in  the  summer  of  1S47,  w^^de  a  move  m  this  direction,  and 
seconded  it  by  a  request  to  the  council  of  his  churches  that  the 
Rev,  John  Rugan  of  Philadelphia,  be  called  as  his  assistant  in 
this  large  field,  with  special  reference  to  the  increasing  need  of 
Bnglish  services. 

Rev.  Rugan  accepted  the  call  to  become  assistant  and  at  once 
entered  upon  his  work,  filling  such  appointments  as  Father 
Steck  directed,  assisting  especially  in  supplj'ing  distant  points. 
He  conducted  English  services  in  the  German  church  every 
alternate  Sunday,  for  a  short  time,  with  universal  accei)tance  on 
the  part  of  the  English  speaking  people;  but  objections  were 
soon  raised  by  certain  persons  of  influence  against  English  ser- 
vices, and  by  and  by  such  a  prejudice  was  created  against  these 
services  that  English  was  voted  out  of  the  German  church,  a 
Ui-istake  that  has,  unfortunatelv,  often  been  made  in  our  his- 
tory in  America,  to  the  great  injurj^  of  our  church.  Those 
who,  had  asked  for  English  services  now  withdrew  from  the  Ger- 
man congregation  and  organized  an  English  congregation  nnder 
the  name  of  Zion  Evangelical  Eutheran  church. 

In  184S  two  important  events  occurred  in  the  German  church. 
These  were  the  withdrawal  of  the  English  speaking  members, 
who  organized  Zion  congregation,  and  the  death  of  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck,  their  highly  esteemed  and  devoted  pastor. 

These  two  events  gave  the  congregation  a  severe  shock. 
Especially  was  this  true  as  regards  the  death  of  their  beloved 
and  faithful  pastor;  for  the  death  of  Rev.  Steck  was  a  heavy 
loss  not  only  to  this  congregation,  but  to  the  Synod  and 
the  cause  of  Christian  education,  This  was  one  of  the  chief 
reasons  why  the  school  of  the  Synod  was  discontinued  at 
Greensburg  in  1850. 

Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  who  became  the  successor  of  Rev.  M, 
J.  Steck,  was  a  very  genial  Christian  man,  but  belonged  to  a 
different  Entheran  synod,  and  had  no  interest  in  and  no  sym- 
pathy with  our  school,  and  through  his  influence  the  parish, 
which  had  been  our  stronghold,  withdrew  and  united    with    the 


52  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Joint  Synod  of  Ohio.  These  two  congregations  (Lutheran  and 
Reformed)  continued  under  the  old  regime  is  long  as  these 
pastors  lived  and  seemed  inseparably  joined.  No  matter  what 
arguments  might  be  presented  for  separation  and  division,  the 
ruling  powers  were  always  against  such  a  move. 

In  1868  the  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  was  gathered  to  his  fathers 
in  peace,  at  the  age  of  70  years,  after  a  laborious  and  busy  life. 
He  rendered  faithful  services  in  his  day,  and  did  his  work 
according  to  his  convictions.  He  served  the  Greensburg  parish 
for  nearly  20  years.  Like  his  predecessor,  Rev.  Steck,  he 
preached  thousands  of  sermons;  baptized  and  confirmed  thous- 
ands of  people,  and  administered  the  consolation  of  the  Gospel 
to  many  more. 

The  death  of  Father  Mechling  marks  an  epoch  in  the  history 
of  this  parish.  It  was  now  divided  into  two  parishes.  Greens- 
burg and  Harrold's  congregations  constituted  the  Greensburg 
parish,  and  Brush  Creek  and  Manor  the  Brush  Creek  parish. 

Rev.  G.  A.  Bruegel  was  called  to  become  pastor  of  the 
Greensburg  parish  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  he  should 
conduct  half  the  services  in  the  English  language.  Through 
the  influence  of  Rev.  Bruegel,  and  under  his  ministry,  a  great 
change  was  wrought  in  the  congregation.  He  was  very  ener- 
getic and  sometimes  even  radical.  He  was  young  and  aggressive, 
and  introduced  a  new  era  in  the  old  church.  Though  his  ministry 
was  short,  he  started  influences  and  inaugurated  work  which 
went  on  after  he  had  left  the  field.  He  was  faithful  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  till  in  1872  he  resigned  his  parish  to  accept  a 
call  to  Warren,  Pa.  He  made  many  friends  in  the  First  church 
whilst  he  was  among  this  people,  but  he  escaped  the  woe  of 
those  of  whom  all  men  speak  well. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  G.  A.  Bruegel,  Rev. 
Enoch  Smith,  then  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  was  called  to  become 
his  successor.  He  accepted  the  call  and  took  charge  of  the 
church  in  the  summer  of  1872,  and  carried  forward,  in  a  large 
measure,  the  work  which  Rev,  Bruegel  had  so  well  begun. 

Under  Rev.  Bruegel  English  services  had  been  introduced, 
and  with  them  a  more  progressive  spirit  prevailed.     Under  Rev, 


FIRST   CHURCH,    GREENSBURG.  53 

Smith's  mild  and  genial  administration  much  good  work  was 
done  and  verj^  important  changes  made.  The  feeling  now  was, 
and  the  sentiment  freely  expressed,  that  although  Union  church- 
es were  well  enough  at  one  time,  the  da}^  of  their  usefulness  was 
now  past.  What  seemed  a  necessity  once  now  seemed  a  burden, 
and  a  source  of  discord,  and  that  the  time  had  now  come  for  each 
family  to  occupy  and  own  its  own  house  seemed  clear  to  many. 
But  when  Rev.  Smith  made  the  overture  to  accept  this  condition 
his  offer  was  not  heartily  responded  to  by  the  Reformed  party. 
B}''  and  by,  however,  it  was  assented  to  by  them  also.  The 
opportunity  was  seized  by  Rev.  Smith  and  his  council.  It  was 
agreed  to  sell  the  property  and  one  or  the  other  should  buy  it. 
At  this  sale  there  were  only  two  bidders,  Mr.  Josiah  J.  Mechling 
on  behalf  of  the  lyUtherans,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Truxal  on  behalf 
of  the  Reformed  church.  Mr.  Mechling  bought  the  church  at 
$i[,6oo.  The  half  interest  in  this  property  cost  the  Lutherans 
about  $6, 000. 

During  Rev.  Smith's  pastorate  the  parsonage  on  Third  street 
was  built,  costing  $4,000,  and  he  also  collected  the  money  to  pay 
the  Reformed  congregation  $6,000  for  their  halt  interest  in  the 
chitrch  property,  making  $10,000  collected  by  him  during  his  ten 
year's  pastorate.  After  this  work  was  done  he  resigned  this 
parish  and  accepted  a  call  to  a  new  mission  in  a  Western  state, 
but  soon  afterward  he  was  unanimously  called  to  Salem  church, 
Bethlehem,  Pa. 

In  January,  1882,  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  then  of  Kittanning, 
Pa. ,  was  called  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  Enoch  Smith.  Young, 
strong,  full  of  enthusiasm,  and  willing  to  work,  he  entered  on 
Rev.  Smith's  noble  beginning.  He  had  from  the  start  unaltera- 
bl}^  made  up  his  mind  that  the  old  church  must  come  down 
and  a  new  one  take  its  place,  one  that  should  be  worthy  of  the 
place  and  of  the  congregation.  He  felt,  as  almost  all  the  younger 
portion  of  the  congregation  did,  that  the  old  church  had  served 
its  day,  and  was  no  longer  suitable  for  the  times  nor  for  the  con- 
gregation, but  he  knew  that  among  the  older  members  there  was 
strong  opposition  to  the  new  church  enterprise.  He  took  the 
hint  and  worked  quietly  to  overcome  this  prejudice.    He  secured 


54  COiVrERENCE   HISTORY. 

on  April  23,  1S83,  from  four  p'^rsons,  $3,600  in  good  subscrip- 
tions, for  a  new  church  He  then  asked  permission  from  the 
church  council  to  make  a  test  as  to  what  could  be  done  for  a  new 
church.  The  permission  was  granted.  He  went  heroically  to 
work  and  with  the  help  ot  a  number  of  liberal  men  and  faithful 
women,  backed  bj-  the  whole  host  of  young  people  whom  he 
rallied  around  him,  the  work  v.'ent  noi)Iy  forward  and  b}^  a  cer- 
tain given  time  the  stipulated  sura  (  jI9,ooo)  was  raised.  There- 
fore the  congregation  voted  to  go  forward;  plans  were  procured 
and  adopted,  and  early  in  the  summer  of  1883  the  contract  for 
the  church,  enclosed,  was  let  to  M.  H,  Griese,  of  Cleveland,  O., 
the  architect  who  had  made  the  plans  and  estimates,  for  the  sum 
of  $22,000. 

The  building  committee  were:  John  Rugh,  J.  J.  Mechling, 
M.  G    Blank,  C.  Holtzer,  John  Borts,  Charles  Baker  and  Rev.  J. 

C.  Kunzmann,  the  pastor.  J.  J.  Mechling  was  elected  chairman; 
John  Rugh,  treasurer,  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  secretary. 

The  work  on  the  new  church  was  really  begun  on  the  i6th 
of  April,  1883,  when  the  members  began  to  t'.ar  down  the  old 
church,  and  it  was  pushed  forward  as  rapidl}'  as  possible. 
The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  the  nth  of  August,  1883.  The 
pastor,  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  was  assisted  on  this  occasion  by 
Rev.  Prof.  H.  W.  Roth,  D.  D.,  of  Greenville,  Pa. 

On  March  30th,  1884,  the  basement  having  been  finished, 
was  solemnl}^  consecrated  for  sacred  use.     Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant, 

D.  D.,  assisted  the  pastor  on  that  occasion.  The  basement  was 
used  as  an  auditorium  until  the  church  was  finished. 

April  nth,  1886,  the  feast  of  dedication  was  celebrated. 
All  the  ex-pastors  still  living  were  invited  to  be  present  and  take 
part  in  the  services.  Revs.  Enoch  Smith  and  J.  A.  Bruegel  were 
present.  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D.,  preached  the  dedication 
sermon;  the  pastor,  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  assisted  by  Revs. 
Smith  and  Bruegel,  performed  the  act  of  consecrntion. 

The  present  church  is  of  gothic  architecture,  and  in  its 
external  appearance  is  a  magnificent  building  and  makes  a  fine 
impression.  It  has  three  front  entrances,  two  corner  towers,  one 
of  which  is  164  feet  high,    and   is  surmounted  by  a  gilt  cross. 


FIRST    CHURCH,    GREENSBURG.  55 

The  basement  is  finished  with  ashler  work  of  Berean  stone,  the 
upper  story  is  of  red  lirick  ornamented  with  polished  stone  and 
colored  brick.  The  roof  is  slate,  also  ornamented.  The  wind- 
ows are  superb  cathedral  glass,  add  are  all  beautifully  decorated. 
All  the  windows  are  memorial. 

The  auditorium  is  a  very  beautiful  room,  and  is  cliurchly  in 
all  its  appointments.  It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  600,  with  gal- 
lery of  100.  The  complete  church  cost  $39,000  and  was  dedi- 
cated free  from  encumbrances. 

The  building  of  this  church  marks  another  important  epoch 
in  the  history  of  this  congregation.  The  pastor  who  led  the 
building  committee,  the  committee  who  followed  his  leadership, 
and  the  people  who  aided  so  nobl}^  an:l  liberally,  are  to  be  con- 
gratulated upon  the  completion  of  so  beautiful  and  costly  a 
church,  and  deserve  great  credit  for  their  earnest  perseverance 
and  fidelity  to  the  work  till  it  was  finished  and  the  last  dollar  paid. 

The  editor  of  the  Greensburg  Prcs-'^  said  :  *  'The  building  of 
this  church  has  been  a  labor  of  love  for  the  energetic  pastor  and 
his  faithful  congregation,  and  their  labors  were  fully  crowned 
with  success  on  last  Sunday.  The}'  have  reason  to  be  proud  of 
their  church,  for  it  is  by  far  the  most  perfect  church  building, 
from  an  architectural  standpoint,  in  the  count3^  It  is  beautiful 
in  design  and  reflects  credit  on  its  architect,  and  on  the  congre- 
gation that  selected  the  design.  Among  the  many  beautiful 
church  buildings  of  Greensburg  it  stands  first,  and  we  are  sure 
the  citizens,  who  are  not  members  of  this  congregation,  will  take 
about  as  much  pride  in  it  as  they  do  themselves.  We  congratu- 
late our  lyUtheran  friends  on  their  new  building,  which  is 
worthy  of  them,  and  we  trust  will  long  stand  as  an  ornament  to 
Greensburg." 

Rev.  Kunzmann  continued  his  pastoral  labors  in  this  congre- 
gation until  the  spring  of  1 89 1 ,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  labc  r 
in  connection  with  Greensburg  Seminary.  Later  he  accepted  a 
call  to  Grace  Church,  South  Side,  Pittsburg,  Pa.  During  h  s 
pastorate  the  Greensburg  parish  returned  to  the  fellowship  of  the 
Pittsburg  Synod,  which  it  helped  to  organize  in  1845.  At  the 
close   of    his  pastorate  he  reported   the    following :     202  infant 


56  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

baptisms;  220  confirmations;  250  additions  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  202  losses  by  death  and  removals,  making  a  net  gain  of  22S, 
which,  added  to  the  original  roll  of  membars  of  320,  would  make 
an  enrollment  of  548  members. 

Rev.  A.  L,.  Yount,  D.  D.,  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  v/as  called 
and  b;came  the  successor  of  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  and  took 
charge  June  i,  1891.  He  entered  on  his  work  in  his  new  field 
with  enthusiasm ;  fulfilled  his  duties  with  earnestness  and  fideli- 
ty,  and  has  been  eminently  successful. 

Dr.  Yount  is  a  popular  preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor,  and 
unites  the  rare  qualities  of  a  good  preacher  and  pastor  in  one 
man.  Rev.  Kunzmann  had  built  this  fine  church  and  Rev. 
Yount  built  up  the  congregation  with  phenomenal  success. 
Many  members  have  been  added  to  the  congregation  during  the 
ten  years  of  his  pastorate.  He  has  preached  about  1,100  ser- 
mons, baptized  380  children,  confirmed  325  young  persons,  re- 
ceived 21  persons  by  adult  baptism,  and  279  by  letters  of  transfer 
and  right  hand  of  fellowship,  making  in  all  625  additions  to  the 
communicant  membership.  The  losses  have  been  104  by  death 
and  71  by  removal,  175  in  all.  The  net  gain  is  460  members. 
The   membership  now  numbers  760. 

The  congregation  of  the  First  Church  is  a  strong,  united 
one,  and  is  in  fine  working  condition.  They  have  not  only 
grown  in  membership  and  strength,  but  also  in  benevolence  and 
general  church  work.  This  is  evidenced  in  the  support  of  the 
local  work,  as  well  as  in  the  increased  contributions  to  the 
cause  ot  missions  and  education,  and  the  gro/vth  and  char- 
acter of  the  Sunday  School,  which  now  numbers  over  300 
scholars. 

One  agency  which  has  contributed  very  largely  to  the  success 
and  growth  of  the  church  during  Dr.  Yount' s  pastorate,  is  the 
publication  of  a  lively  monthly  parish  paper,  The  Church  Register. 
The  first  issue  appeared  in  June,  1891,  the  beginning  of  his 
ministry  here,  and  it  has  never  missed  an  issue.  The  people 
hail  with  pleasure  its  monthly  visits,  with  its  messages  of  truth, 
news  and  practical  suggestions ;  its  announcements,  reports, 
doctrinal    articles,  sermons    and    addresses,  and    the    effect   is 


FIRST  CHUKCH  (ULDj.   (;KEK.\8!UK(i 


FIRST  t'Ul'KCH  (XKW).  GREEXSBURG 


rAUS(tNA(;l-:,    I'IKSI'  ClirKrH.   CllEENMUKi. 


FIRST   CHURCH,    GRBENSBURG.  57 

almost  like  a  monthly  visit  of  the  paitor  to  each  of  the  more  than 
350  homes  represented  in  tlie  congregation.  It  is  a  model 
parish    paper. 

The  old  mother  has  not  only  a  daughter  of  mature  years  at 
her  side,  Zion  church,  but  she  has  also  sent  out  many  members 
to  other  congregations  in  our  county,  and  other  parts  of  our 
country.  She  has  also  given  eight  men  to  the  ministr3-,  who 
have  done  and  are  doing  good  work  for  our  church,  and  has  now 
several  more  in  the  course  of  preparation.  Thus,  under  the 
leadership  of  her  pastors,  the  general  work  of  the  church,  as 
well  as  the    local  interests,   have   been  cared  for. 

The  magnificent  church  building  just  described,  has  recently 
undergone  a  thorough  remodeling  of  the  basement,  and  renova- 
tion and  improvement  of  the  auditorium.  It  has  been  beauti- 
fully frescoed,  painted  and  carpeted  ;  the  chancel  readjusted  in  a 
churchl>  and  suitable  manner.  A  new  pipe  organ  has  been 
placed  in  the  chancel  costing  $2,500,  and  a  gothic  altar  has  been 
erected  in  front  of  the  organ,  enclosed  with  a  fine  walnut  rail. 
The  pulpit,  lecturn  and  baptismal  font  are  placed  in  proper  posi- 
tions outside  of  alcar  rail.  The  basement  has  been  remodeled 
and  divided  into  seven  rooms  for  graded  Sundaj^  School  work  ; 
the  western  half  being  neatly  fitted  up  lor  a  lecture  room.  The 
whole  cost  of  the  improvement  was  $6,269.21.  The  property  is 
now  worth  over  $50,000. 

The  congregation  is  about  115  years  eld.  For  over  80  years 
it  was  a  purely  German  church  ;  twenty- two  years  German  and 
English,  and  for  the  last  twelve  years  entirely  English. 

The  Church  Council  is  the  ruling  power  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  is  composed  of  the  pastor,  the  elders,  deacons  and  a 
trustee.  The  present  council  is  composed  of  the  follov.'ing 
named  persons  : 

Rev.  A.  E.  Yount,  D.  D.,  pastor,  Henry  Blank,  Geo.  S.  Sar- 
ver,  W.  D.  Portzer,  and  John  Shoemaker,  elders;  E.  J.  Perry, 
W.  E.  Scott,  James  A-  Seanor,  Henry  R.  Zimmermann,  John 
Stroble,  Jos.  W.  Shuster,  D.  W.  Kaylcr,  John  A.  Himler,  Isaac 
A.  Shuster,  J.  C.  Fry,  Isaac  H.  Runibaugh  and  J,  J.  Blank, 
deacons;    H.    E.    Blank,   trustee;    John   E.  Vandyke,   financial 


5B  CONFERENCE     HISTORY. 

secretary  ;   H.  M.   Zundel,   secretary    of  congregation  ;  Leonard 
Keck,  treasurer. 

Following  is  the  list  of  the  pastors  of  the  congregation  since 
its  organization  :  Rev.  Anthony  Ulrich  Lnetge,  1 784-1 792  ;  Rev. 
John  M.  Steck,  1792-1830;  Rev.  Michael].  Steck,  1829-1848  ; 
Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1848-1868;  Rev.  J.  A.  Bruegel,  1868-1872; 
Rev.  Enoch  Smith,  1872-1881  ;  Rev.  J.  C.  Kttnzmann,  1882- 
1891  ;  Rev.  A.  I,.  Yomit,  D.  D. ,  1891  to  the  present  time,  1903. 
The  Sunday  School  was,  for  many  j^ears,  conducted  as  a 
union  school,  composed  of  the  members  and  families  of  both 
congregations.  They  occupied  the  old  church  building  till  their 
final  separation,  in  1881,  when  the  property  was  purchased  by 
the  Lutheran  congregation,  it  having  passed  through  partition 
in  the  Common  Pleas  Court  of  Westmoreland  county,  at 
No.  532,  August  Term,  1879.  The  two  churches  then  became 
separate  and  distinct.  The  old  church  was  torn  down  in  1883, 
preparatory  to  the  erection  of  the  new  present  one.  The 
Sunday  School  was,  by  this  means,  obliged  to  reorganize  and 
hold  its  meetings  elsewhere  till  the  new  edifice  would  be  in 
readiness. 

The  Sunday  School  of  the  "First  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  of  G'eensburg,  Pa.,"  met  at  the  parsonage,  Greensb'arg, 
May  14,  18S2,  pursuant  to  an  announcement  by  the  pastor.  Rev. 
J.  C.  Kunzmann.  An  organization  was  effected  by  the  election 
of  O.  J.  Clawson  and  D.  Musick  assistant  superintendents,  the 
pastor  being  superintendent  by  virtue  of  his  calling  in  the 
church;  J.  M.  Zimmerman,  treasurer;  Charles  Hammer  and 
William  H.  Blank,  librarians  and  secretary.  There  w^ere  also 
twenty-one  teachers  chosen.  It  has  continued  uninteraptedly 
ever  since. 

Tne  following  is  the  constitution  of  the  Sunday  School : 

Article  I. — Name.  This  organization  shall  be  known  as 
"The  Sunday  School  of  the  First  Evangelical  Luthernn  church 
of  Greensburg,  Pa." 

Art.  II. — Object.  The  organization  is  instituted  for  the 
promotion  of  Sunday  School  work  in  the  congregation  and  vicin- 
ity, and  to  act  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  church. 


FIRST   CHURCH,    GREENSBURG.  59 

Art.  III. — Membership.  All  persons  regularly  attending 
upon  the  exercises  of  the  school,  and  expressing  a  willingness  to 
become  members  thereof,  shall  be  taken  and  deemed  members. 

Art.  IV. — Officers.  The  officers  of  this  association  shall 
consist  of  a  superintendent,  assistant  superintendents,  a  secre- 
tary, assistant  secretaries,  a  treasurer,  librarians  and  teachers. 
The  pastor,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  .shall  be  considered  su- 
perintendent. 

Art.  V. — Election.  The  present  officers  and  teachers  shall 
remain  as  such  for  the  purpose  of  reorganization,  and  they  shall 
proceed  to  elect  officers  and  teachers  as  soon  after  the  adoption 
of  this  constitution  as  convenient  or  possible,  and  hereafter  all 
officers  and  teachers  shall  be  elected  at  their  first  meeting  of  each 
3^ear.  All  officers  shall  hold  their  offices  until  their  successors 
are  duly    chosen. 

Art.  VI. — Business.  All  departments  of  business,  records 
and  reports  of  committees  and  officers  relating  to  the  govern- 
ment of  the  school,  shall  be  conducted  in  accordance  with  the 
rulings  of  the  executive  committee,  which  committee  is  hereby 
declared  to  be  the  officers  and  teachers  of  the  school,  at  the  first 
regular  weekly  meeting  of  each  month. 

Art.  VII. — Amendments.  Amendments  or  alteraticms  to 
this  constitution  may  be  adopted  by  a  four-fifth  vote  of  the 
members  of  the  executive  committee  present,  provided  notice  of 
such  amendment  or  alteration  shall  be  made  known  one  month 
prior  to  taking  action  on  the  same. 

The  Sunday  vSchool  has  for  the  past  four  years  been  organ- 
ized under  the  new  system  of  Graded  Lessons  adopted  by  the 
General  Council.  The  fact  th^t  the  school  room  has  been  adapted 
to  this  new  arrangement,  has  facilitated  the  use  of  this  system. 
The  different  classes  have  been  organized  as  rapidly  as  the  sys- 
tem has  been  developed,  and  the  change  is  working  well  and 
promises  good  results.  Our  lyUtheran  Sunday  school  work  has 
heretofore  been,  in  a  large  measure,  a  mere  makeshift  under  the 
old  haphazard  method.  We  are  now,  as  a  denomination,  begin- 
ning to  do  work,  and  we  are  getting  work  out  of  pupils.  We 
have  reason  to  hope  that  the  Sunday  School  will  soon  become  a 


6o  coxferencp:  history. 

strong  arm  of  service  and  do  effective  work  in  the  cTiurcb.  The 
school  of  this  congregation  is  now  v\'ell  organized  under  a  capa- 
ble band  of  officers  and  leaders,  is  well  attended  and  now  numbers 
over  300  pupils.  The  pastor  is  superintendent,  Mr.  Jonathan  J. 
Zimmerman,  first  assistant,  and  Prof.  George  II.  Francis,  second 
assistant.  There  are  manj'  faithful  workers  in  the  school,  some 
of  whom  have  been  connected  with  it  in  various  relations  for 
many  years. 

The  Mission  League  of  this  church  was  organized  under  the 
name,  "The  General  Council  Mission  League,"  on  Friday, 
March  25,  1S87,  with  fifteen  members,  and  has  held  regular 
monthly  meetings  during  the  more  than  fourteen  years  of  its 
existence.  Its  active  membership  has  never  been  large,  but  it 
has  continually  manifested  an  activity  and  liberality  that  are 
commmendable.  It  has  contributed  many  hundreds  of  dollars 
for  the  support  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions,  the  building  of 
mission  churches,  and  the  aid  of  j^oung  men  in  preparation  for 
the  holy  ministry.  It  has  been  a  special  friend  of  our  missions 
in  San  Juan,  Porto  Rico.  Two  of  its  members  are  each  support- 
ing scholarships  in  our  school  in  Rajahmundry,  India,  at  an 
annual  cost  of  $30.00.  It  has  a  number  of  the  best  workers 
and  most  liberal  givers  in  the  congregation  connected  with  it. 
It  is  a  good  help  in  the  matter  of  church  work.  It  is  well  cal- 
culated to  develop  and  strengthen  the  missionary  element  of 
the  congregation,  which  is  a  very  important  factor  in  the  life  of 
every  church.     The  pastor  is  president  of  this  society. 

The  Luther  League,  another  important  agency,  was  or- 
ganized ten  years  ago  and  is  a  very  useful,  and  indeed  a  neces- 
eisar}'  organization  for  the  young  people.  We  hope  for  much 
good  from  this  3'oung  society.  It  holds  regular  meetings  on 
every  Lord's  daj'  evening,  which  are  generally  well  attended 
and  are  doing  good,  in  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  our 
youth,  and  others,  in  the  knowledge  of  the  histor}^  doctrine 
and  work  of  the  church,  and  the  character  and  needs  of  a 
Christian  life. 


HARROLD'S    or    ZION    CHURCH.  6l 

II.     THE  HARROLD'S  OR  0:.D  ZIOX  CONGREGATION, 

HEMPFIELD  TOWNvSHIP. 

This  is  without  doubt  the  oldest  conj^regation  in  Westraore- 
laud  county,  and  likely,  the  oldest  in  Western  Pennsylva- 
nia. Mention  has  been  made  in  a  former  chapter  of  the 
fact  that  many  settlers  came  to  Hempfield  township  in  an 
early  day,  and  that  in  ij6g  Balibazer  Meyer,  a  Lutheran  school- 
master, came  in  companj^  with  a  colony  of  Germans,  who  located 
in  what  was  then  known  as  the  Zion  settlement.  These  Ger- 
mans formed  a  close  community  and  were  progressive.  They 
built  a  school  house  and  church  as  soon  as  they  had  provided  for 
their  most  urgent  private  needs.  We  are  assured,  from  the  rec- 
ords that  have  come  down  to  us,  by  tradition  and  otherwise,  that 
in  1772  a  school  house  was  built  that  was  used  both  for  school 
purposes  and  as  a  place  for  divine  worship,  and  later  on,  a  dwell- 
ing house  was  added  to  the  church.  In  the  former  the  people 
met  on  the  Lord's  day  for  divine  services,  and  the  children  and 
youth  met  here  during  the  week  for  religious  as  well  as  secular 
instruction.  It  is  just  to  say  for  these  people  that  they  showed 
commendable  fidelity  to  the  church,  and  earnest  piet}'  toward 
God,  in  the  provision  they  made  for  divine  services,  as  well  as  for 
the  Christian  education  of  their  children  and  youth.  School- 
master Meyer  was  highly  esteemed  and  was  looked  upon  b}- 
many  of  the  people  as  a  regular  minister.  He  not  only  in- 
structed their  children  and  youth  in  secular  and  religious  knowl- 
edge, but  also  baptized  their  children  and  conducted  the  public 
services  on  the  Lord's  day,  visited  their  sick  and  buried  their 
dead. 

He  also  made  a  proper  record  of  these  acts,  which  would  be 
creditable  to  any  minister.  It  was  indeed  better  than  some  of 
the  ministers  of  that  day  made,  and  better  than  many  of  the  min- 
isters of  to-day  are  making.  The  first  record  of  Zion  church  was 
made  in  1772,  three  years  after  Evangelist  Meyer  came  to  this 
community.  This  shows  that  it  took  several  years  to  get  ar- 
rangements made  to  hold  public  services.  Services  had  been 
conducted  in  the  meantime  in  private  houses. 


6^  CONF7JRENCE    HISTORY. 

The  first  child  baptized  was  Peter,  sou  of  Anthony  and 
Ehzabeth  Walter,  born  on  the  nth  of  September,  1771,  and  bap- 
tized on  the  2nd  of  August,  1772.  Owing  to  some  untoward 
events,  the  next  ten  or  twelv^e  years  were  years  of  trial  and 
tribulation  to  these  poor  settlers. 

The  boundary  line  dispute,  by  which  Virginia  claimed  a  large 
part  of  the  territory,  now  included  in  Southwestern  Pennsyl- 
vania, caused  much  embarrassment  among  the  settlers.  Then  the 
inroads  of  the  Indians  and  the  Revolutionary  War  kept  the  peo- 
ple in  a  state  of  excitement  and  fear  all  these  years.  Many  ot 
the  able-bodied  men  were  absent  in  the  war,  and  those  who  re- 
mained at  home  had  many  trials  and  privations  to  maintain 
themselves  and  theirs.  As  they  were  in  constant  dread  of  being 
attacked  by  the  savages  they  built  forts  and  block-houses  and 
used  every  possible  means  for  their  protection  whilst  they  were 
engaged  in  field  and  forest,  providing  means  of  sustenance  and 
vshelter  for  their  dependents.  There  was  a  fort  in  this  settlement 
in  1779  on  lands  of  one  C.  Truby;  there  was  one  also  on  the 
Rugh  farm  i}4  miles  south  of  Greensburg  on  Jack's  Run,  and 
there  were  block-houses  built  wherever  people  lived,  into  which 
they  fled  for  protection  in  time  of  danger. 

During  these  j^ears  of  trial  the  people  in  this  communit}' 
were  pressed  to  such  a  degree  that  many  thought  of  leaving  the 
settlement,  and  at  one  time  General  St.  Clair  had  fears  this  plan 
might  be  attempted  and  carried  out,  but  better  counsel  prevailed. 
At  this  time  petitions  were  sent  to  the  governor  from  the  several 
forts  for  aid.  A  petition  was  sent  also  from  Fort  Allen,  to 
which  we  have  referred  as  located  in  the  Harrold  settlement, 
which  was  signed  by  many,  among  whom  is  the  name  of  our 
schoolmaster  Meyer,  with  other  names,  such  as  Conrad  Houck. 
Frank  Raup,  Martin  Hantz,  Peter  Nunemucher,  Heinrich 
Schmitt,  Peter  Klingensmith,  Peter  Altman,  Christian  Baum, 
William  Altman  and  others.  After  these  dangers,  in  a  certain 
measure,  were  overpast,  a  minister  was  called  and  appointed  bj' 
the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Anthony 
Ulrich  Luetge,  who  took  charge  of  Harrold's  church  in  connec- 
tion with  several  other  congregations  and  stations  and  ministered 


harroi^d's  or  zion,  "63 

to  tills  congregation  regularly  and  lived  on  the  church  farm. 
The  log  church,  which  had  been  begun  years  before,  but  was  left 
unfinished  on  account  of  the  Indian  troubles,  and  other  em- 
barrassments, as  Father  George  Eisaman  used  to  tell,  was  now 
finished  and  all  its  appointments  completed  in  primitive  style. 

Though  the  Revolutionary  war  was  now  practically  ended, 
and  peace  had  been  made  with  the  Indians,  yet  there  was  still 
danger,  for  Indians  lurked  about  in  the  forest,  and  at  every  op- 
portunity, when  a  white  man  came  into  their  path  unprotected, 
they  would  either  scalp  or  kill  him,  as  might  seem  best  to  them. 
Rev.  Luetge  ministered  faithfully  to  these  people  for  nine  years. 
Meanwhile  the  school  continued  and  the  congregation  grew  in 
numbers  and  strength,  as  well  as  willingness  to  do,  but  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  in  1791  on  account  of  failing  health.  Dur- 
ing the  pastorate  of  Rev.  A.  Ulrich  Luetge,  Michael  Rugh  and 
Anthony  Altman,  trustees  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  atHar- 
rold's  procured  a  warrant  for  a  tract  of  land  for  a  church  farm, 
on  the  22iid  of  August,  1785,  and  on  the  23rd  of  May,  1789,  a 
patent  was  granted  for  the  same.  In  1793  the  trustees,  by  the 
advice,  and  with  the  approbation  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
congregation,  sold  106  acres  of  said  land  granted  them  by  patent 
to  Rev.  A.  Ulrich  lyUetge  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation. 

No  deed  was  made  for  this  land  until  several  years  after  the 
death  of  Rev,  Luetge,  as  the  trustees  had  no  authority  to  sell  or 
give  title  for  this  land,  for  they  held  it  in  trust  for  the  congre- 
gation. Hence  they  applied  to  the  legislature  for  power  to  sell 
and  convey  said  land  to  the  heirs  of  Rev.  Luetge.  In  February. 
I  Sox,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  them  to  sell  and  make  a  deed 
to  the  executors  of  Rev.  Luetge,  for  the  benefit  of  his  heirs. 
They  conveyed  the  same,  with  the  consent  of  the  heirs,  to  Mr. 
Alexander  McKinney  of  llempfield  township,  to  whom  the  de- 
ceased, in  his  lifetime  had  sold,  or  agreed  to  sell  it,  for  50  pounds 
and  other  valuable  considerations.  The  land  was  sold  by  the 
trustees  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  but  the  record  does 
not  state  how  much  Rev.  Luetge  paid  for  it,  but  the  history  of 
the  Reformed  church  says  he  paid  60  pounds  for  it.  Soon  after 
Rev.  Luetge  resigned  he  returned  to  the  eastern  part  of  the  state 


64  CONFEKEN(TE    HISTORY. 

but  he  lived  only  a  few  years  after  he  gave  up  his  work  in  this 
field.  He  spent  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  in  Franklin  coun- 
ty, and,  according  to  the  best  information  we  can  gather,  he 
died  in  1796.  His  estate  was  settled  by  two  of  his  friends  from 
Chambersburg,  Pa. 

One  of  the  old  pastors  of  Harrold's  congregation  has  made 
the  following  record  concerning  this  church  :  "The  church  build- 
ing erected  was  rather  spacious,  but  had  only  one  door.  The 
floor  was  made  of  puncheon,  the  seats  were  hewn  logs.  There 
was  a  gallery  on  the  right  side,  open  in  front ;  it  had  rough  seats 
to  which  a  rude  stairway  led.  At  first  there  was  only  a  plain 
table  as  an  altar,  but  the  present  pastor  remembers  an  altar  there 
during  the  time  of  his  ministerial  service.  The  original  pulpit 
was  of  the  wine  gla^s  pattern,  surmonnted  with  a  sounding 
board,  painted  a  blue,  with  a  canopy,  showint;  the  sun,  moon  and 
stars  in  white.  The  windows  of  the  church  w^ere  often  broken 
and  left  unrepaired,  so  that  squirrels  and  birds  had  free  access  to 
the  inside  of  the  church.  They  were  often  seen  sporting  about 
in  the  church,  diverting  themselves  and  the  young  people  during 
the  services."  In  1829  a  move  was  made  for  a  new  church,  and 
during  the  summer  of  the  same  year  the  corner  stone  of  the 
stone  church,  which  stood  until  recent  times,  w^aslaid. 

The  beautiful  new  Reformed  church  now  stands  where  the 
old  stone  church  stood.  Bernard  Thomas  and  Jacob  Haines 
were  the  building  committee  for  this  church.  The  church  was 
finished  early  in  1830,  and  was  solemly  set  apart  to  the  worship 
of  God.  Revs.  Schweitzerbarth  and  Voight  assisted  Revs.  Steck 
and  Hacke  on  this  occasion.  It  was  a  substantial  stone  building, 
well  built  and  neatly  finished.  The  architecture  was  the  same 
as  that  of  the  other  churches  of  that  day,  two  stories,  with  gal- 
lery on  three  sides,  with  high  pulpit  of  wine  glass  pattern.  The 
church  must  have  cost  three  or  four  thousand  dollars. 

The  cemetery  of  Zion's  w'as  an  object  of  care.  Its  memorial 
tablets,  its  rudely  carved  tombstones  and  modern  monumental 
pillars,  told  the  story  how  the  living  remembered  the  dead. 
For  a  number  of  years  it  supported  its  own  stonecutter  who 
dressed  the  flagstones  of  neighboring  quarries,  and  carved  the 


TflARROl.D'S   OR   210N   CHtJRCH.  ■^J 

tiTiOS't  grotesque  figurts  and  made  the  most  melancholly  epitaphs 
iov  weeping  friends.  These  graven  images  did  not,  however, 
conduce  to  idolatry  in  those  who  admired  them,  for  they  were 
mot  the  iikewess  of  ani^thing  in  heaven  above  or  in  the  earth 
'beneath,  or  in  the  waters  tinder  the  earth.  The  most  common 
•ornamentation  on  the  tombstone  is  a  vine  terminating  in  broad 
Heaves.  In  .the  centre  where  these  begin  is  a  flower,  which,  we 
think,  was  intended  as  an  imitation  of  a  tuHp,  which  carried  the 
aiiemory  back  to  the  cozy  cottages  and  bridal  vreathes  of  the 
Rhine.  These  flowers  and  vines  have  been  painted  in  •different 
colors — ^^gi'een-,  blue,  j'eliovv  and   red. 

As  a  pioneer  congregation  Zion  church  has  had  a  fair  meas- 
^ire  of!prGsperitj%  and  gained  a  certain  degreeof  prestige,  because 
it  was  the  first  congregation  that  was  organized  in  this  county. 
It  has  ha-d  a  rx umber  of  good  and  faithful  ministers.  It  was  con- 
nected with  the  Greensburg  parish  for  the  greater  part  of  its 
liistory,  and,  like  the  First  Church  of  Greensburg,  it  was  also  a 
iUnion  church  during   all  the  earl3^  years. 

As  we  have  noticed,  Rev.  A.  Ulrich  Luetge  sc/ved  this 
-church  for  about  nine  }^ears,  and  after  his  resignation  Rev.  John 
M.  Steck,  of  Germantown,  Pa.,  was  called  and  installed  pastor 
in  the  autumn  of  1792.  At  the  first  communion  which  he  held 
there  were  eighty  communicants  present,  and  the  following  y\^at 
the  number  increased  to  one  hundred  and  sixty. 

Rev.  John  M.  Steck  ministered  to  this  congregation^  in  con- 
nection with  the  Greensburg  parish,  for  38  years.  He  preached 
anany  sermons  and  performed  many  ministerial  acts  in  all  these 
years,  and  saw  a  whole  generation  of  people  pass  away  before 
him. 

Rev,  Michael  J,  Steck  succeeded  his  father  in  1830,  and  con- 
tinued to  serve  this  people  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  a  suc- 
cessful preacher  and  pastor,  and  added  many  members  to  this 
congregation.  The  good  report  of  his  work  has  come  down  to 
our  time.  When  people  wanted  to  pay  you  a  high  compliment 
they  would  say  :  "So  hat  es  der  pfarer  Steck  gemacht" — that  is 
the  way  Rev.  Steck  used  to  do.  He  served  this  congregation,  in 
connection  with  the  Greensburg  parisli,  for  19  3'ears,  and  was 


^  CONFieRENCH  HISTORY, 

suddenly  removed,  in  I848,  from  his  work  on  earth  to  his  reward 
in  heaven. 

In  the  following  spring  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Jonas 
Mechling,  who  continued  to  labor  in  this  field  until  he  was  called 
to  his  reward.  He  died  in  1868,  and  served  this  church  about 
19  years,  the  same  as  his  predecessor.  Rev.  Steck. 

Rev.  G.  A.  Bruegel  succeeded  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling.  He 
was  the  first  pastor  under  the  new  regime  after  the  Greensburg 
parish  was  divided.  He  broke  up  the  fallow  ground  and  pre- 
pared the  field  for  a  good  harvest.  In  1872  he  resigned  the 
Greensburg  parish  and  accepted  a  call  to  Warren,  Pa. 

Early  in  1873  Rev.  Enoch  Smith  succeeded  Rev.  Bruegel, 
and  served  this  church  some  four  years.  Under  his  ministry  the 
congregation  was  incorporated  and  a  new  constitution  was 
adopted.  Objections  were  raised  to  the  charter  and  constitution 
by  a  few  members,  which  finally  resulted  in  a  division  of  the 
congregation. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  ministered  to  the  congregation  for  three 
years,  during  which  time  there  seemed  to  be  peace  and  harmony, 
but  a  stoini  came  soon  after  he  resigned.  He  added  about  fifty 
persons  to  the  membership  of  the  congregation  by  confirmation 
and  certificate,  and  performed  forty  infant  baptisms.  He  resigned 
in  order  that  Ziou's  church  and  Seanor's  might  be  formed  into  a 
new  parish,  but  for  the  time  being  this  arrangement  was  not 
effected.     Not  all  were  ready. 

During  this  vacancy  the  disaffected  persons  invited  Rev.  A. 
C.  Ehrenfeldt,  of  the  General  Synod,  to  preach  for  them,  and 
were  by  him  organized  as  an  independent  congregation,  Both 
congregations  now  held  services  in  the  old  stone  church.  The 
congregation  of  lour  synod  had  secured  an  injunction  in  our 
courts,  under  Judge  Hunter,  against  Rev.  Ehrenfeldt,  but  an  ap- 
peal was  taken  to  the  Supreme  Court  and  Justice  Sharswood 
reversed  the  decision  cf  the  court  below.  This  unjust  decision 
robbed  our  church  of  all  the  property  which  rightly  belonged  to 
it.  The  decision  was  secured  by  misrepresentation  on  the  part 
of  the  General  Synod  people,  and  by  our  neglect,  as  we  made  no 
statement  of  the   facts  in  the  case  before  the  Supreme  Court, 


harrold's  or  2roN.  157 

namely,  fhat  Old  Zion  never  was  in  the  General  Synod,  as  was 
claimed.  But  the  Old  Zion  congregation,  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  J.  C.  Kuuzmann,  who  had  been  called  as  pastor,,  moved 
right  on,  purchased  property  for  the  location  for  a  church,  and, 
also  for  a  cemetery,  and  raised  money  to  build  a  church,  the 
corner  stone  of  which  was  laid  in  the  summer  of  1884,  and  the 
church  was  dedicated  June  14,  1885,  Rev.  Edmund  Belf our,  D.D., 
assisting  the  pastor  on  the  occasion.  The  church  was  built  of 
brick,  32x64  feet  in  size,  nicely  finished  and  tastefnlly  furnished, 
at  a  cost  of  $8,000,  all  of  which  was  provided  for. 

In  the  spring  of  1887  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann  resigned  Zion 
congregation  in  order  that  it  might  unite  with  St.  Paul's  (Sea- 
nors)  to  form  a  parish.  During  the  four  years  he  was  pastor  a 
good  work  was  done.  Not  only  was  the  church  built,  but  the 
congregation  was  also  fully  established  on  a  truly  Lutheran  basis 
and  brought  into  our  synod.  It  recovered,  in  a  large  measure, 
from  the  shock  it  received  by  the  division,  when  quite  a  number 
of  the  members  of  the  old  congregation  withdrew  and  organized 
another  congregation,  as  already  stated. 

In  July,  1887,  Rev.  H.  W.  Zuber  entered  on  his  work  in 
this  new  parish  to  which  he  had  been  called  a  short  time  before. 
His  services  were  acceptable,  and  his  ministry  was  successful  in 
this  field.  During  his  pastorate  the  uncollected  subscriptions  to 
the  building  fund  were  paid,  2nd  all  dues  settled.  Three  acres  of 
land  were  purchased  for  a  cemetery,  in  addition  to  what  had  been 
purchased  before,  which  was  survej^ed  and  laid  out  in  lots,  and  a 
suitable  fence  was  put  around  it.  Rev.  Zubei  served  Old  Zion  in 
connection  with  St.  Paul's  and  at  the  same  time  filled  a  pro- 
fessorship in  the  Greensburg  Seminary  for  several  years.  He 
reports  54  infant  baptisms,  23  persons  received  by  confirmation 
and  letters  of  transfer ;  conducted  37  funerals,  and  married  a 
number  of  couples.  When  he  took  charge  of  the  parish  Zion's 
had  106  communicants,  and  St.  Paul's  150.  At  the  close  of  his 
pastorate  of  four  years  and  four  months,  Zion's  had  135  mem- 
bers, and  St.  Paul's  182,  a  gain  of  20  per  cent,  in  the  whole 
parish.  Rev.  Zuber  accepted  a  call  to  a  mission  in  St.  Paul, 
Minn.     After  his  resignation  the  parish  was  vacant  for  several 


6^  CQNFERHNCE   HISTORY. 

months,  during  which  time  it  was  supplied  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery. 
On  March  i,  1895,  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  of  Allegheny,  was  called 
and  became  pastor  of  this  parish  on  the  ist  of  April,  and  has 
served  this  congregation  regularly  and  faithfully  with  the  Word 
and  Sacraments,  till  the  present.  Though  members  have  been 
added  year  by  year,  there  has  been  no  increase  in  the  member- 
ship since  Rev.  Sarver  became  pastor.  The  losses  by  death  and 
removal  have  been  greater  than  the  gains. 

Soon  after  Dr.  Sarver  took  charge  of  this  parish  the  work 
of  building  a  parsonage  was  undertaken,  and  through  the  energy 
of  the  pastor  and  his  assistants,  carried  to  a  successful  comple- 
tion. An  acre  of  ground  was  donated  by  Mr.  Cyrus  Pool,  of 
East  End,  Pittsburg,  for  a  site,  near  the  town  of  New  Stanton  ; 
the  plan  of  a  house  was  adopted,  money  collected  and  the  con- 
tract lety  and  during  1S96  the  parsonage  was  completed,  at  a  cost 
of  $ii750  in  cash,  which  was  all  provided  for  when  the  house 
was  finished.  Dr.  Sarver  has  done  good  service  for  this  parish 
in  the  building  of  this  nice  house  for  a  pastor''s  home,  and  de- 
serves credit  for  the  successful  manner  in  which  he  carried  the 
work  through  to  the  finish.  During  the  six  years  of  his  pastor- 
ate he  has  performed  many  ministerial  acts  and  preached  hund- 
reds of  sermons.  He  baptized  39  children,  confirmed  32  persons 
and  received  nine  by  letters  of  transfer  making  41  additions^ 
and  he  reports  a  communicant  membership  of  125. 

In  late  years  Old  Zion,  like  many  congregations  in  the  rural 
districts,  has  suffered  great  loss  by  removal,  and  it  has  been  a 
struggle  to  keep  up  the  membership. 

Eist  of  pastors:  Rev.  Anthony  Ulrich  Euetge,  1782-1791  ; 
Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  1 791-1830;  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  1829— 
1848;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1849-1868;  Rev.  G.  A.  Bruegel, 
1868-1872;  Rev.  Enoch  Smith,  1872-1877;  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery, 
1877-1881;  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  1882-1887  ;  Rev.  W.  H. 
Zuber,  1 887-1 894;  Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver,  D.  D.,  1895  to  the 
present  time. 

Following  is  the  list  of  the  present  church  council:  Jacob 
E.  Wineman,  George  Allshouse,  Francis  Baughman  and  William 
H.  Harrold,  deacons. 


HARROLD^S  OR   ZION   CHURCH.  69 

Peter  H.  Moore,  Andrew  Wineman  and  Solomon  Eisaman, 
trustees. 

There  has  been  a  Sunday  School  held  here  from  time  imme- 
morial, but  the  records  do  not  go  back  farther  than  1859.  The 
<5chool  was^  of  course,  a  Union  school,  but  as  the  Lutheran  con- 
gregation was  always  much  stronger  than  the  Reformed,  the 
school  was  largely  carried  on  by  the  Lutherans.  It  was,  how- 
ever, h<l<l  only  during  the  summer  and  was  reorganized  every 
spring-. 

In  1859  David  A.  Altman  was  elected  superintendent,  and 
George  Eisaman  and  Abraham  Altman  were  his  assistants;  137 
^chGlars  were  enrolled  and  were  divided  into  14  classes.  The 
following  year  the  school  was  organized  on  the  15th  of  April 
with  78  scholars,  divided  into  seven  classes. 

Our  next  record  is  on  the  30th  April  1S78,  when  the  school 
was  reorganized  with  73  scholars  into  eleven  classes.  Thus  it 
"was  organized  every  spring  and  carried  on  in  some  manner  all 
these  years. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1885,  a  Lutheran  Sunday  School  was 
organized  with  50  scholars,  which  was  soon  increased  to  79. 
This  school,  of  which  H.  M.  Zundel  was  superintendent,  was 
carried  on  with  a  fair  measure  of  success,  during  the  summer  of 
1S85,  but  in  the  fall,  owing  to  the  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  a 
few  of  the  older  members  of  the  church,  it  was,  an  November 
T5th,  organized  as  a  Union  school  and  continued  as  such  till 
January  j.  18S8,  when  the  Union  school  was  dissolved  bj''  a 
unanimous  vote,  and  on  the  follovdng  Lord's  day,  January  8, 
the  present  Lutheran  Sunday  School  was  organized  with  48 
scholars  and  17  officers  and  teachers. 

On  October  i,  1888,  a  constitution  was  adopted  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  school,  and  the  Lutheran  literature  prepared  by 
the  General  Council's  Committee  on  Sunday  School  Work,  has 
been  used  from  the  start,  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  system 
of  Graded  Lessons  has  been  introduced. 

January  22,  1890,  a  library  of  175  volumes  was  purchased, 
and  the  first  Children's  Service  was  held  on  the  29th  of  June, 
1890.     There  have  been  six  superintendents  since  the  school  has 


70  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

been  organized  in  the  new  church,  viz :  H.  M.  Zundel^  E.  E. 
Wible,  J.  A.  Zundel,  C.  H.  Eisaraan,  A.  M.  Zundel,  and  R.  M. 
Zundel;  and  there  have  been  two  treasurers:  Reuben  Yerger  and 
P.  A.  Moore. 

The  whole  amount  of  money  collected  in  these  years  is. 
$1,957.39,  of  which  $1,746.07  were  spent  for  local  purposes,  and 
$211.42  given  to  Home  and  Foreign  Missions — quite  too  large  a 
per  cent,  for  home  purposes.  It  is  important  that  onr  Sunday 
Schools  be  taught  to  give  to  benevolence,  especially  to  Home  and 
Foreign  Missions  and  the  orphan  cause. 

A  Luither  League  was  organized  in  Old  Zion  on  the  22nd  of 
April.  [897,  and  a  constitution,  after  the  model  recommended, 
was  adopted.  In  a  short  time  after  the  organization  the  mem- 
bership was  increased  to  55,  of  whom  17  took  active  part  in  the 
exercises  as  leaders,  and  the  organization  was  doing  nicely,  but 
©wing  to  some  misunderstanding  between  the  League  and  the 
Church  Council  its  exercises  have  been  discontinued  since  July 
29,  1900.  Let  the  work  go  on,  no  matter  who  holds  back  or 
who  is  indifferent.  Let  the  young  people  go  on  and  faithfully 
perform  their  part. 


in.     THE  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  OF 
BRUSH  CREEK,  HEMFFIELD  TOWNSHIP. 

The  settlement  which  has  always  been  known  as  the  Brush 
Creek  settlement,  is  quite  old.  It  began  early  in  1770,  and,  per- 
haps, already  in  the  sixties.  We  know  that  immediately  after 
the  land  in  Western  Pennsylvania  was  declared  open  for  settle- 
ment many  immigrants  came  into  this  community,  some  from 
the  eaatern  counties  of  our  State,  and  others  from  the  Fatherland* 

This  community  was  closely  connected  with  the  "Zion  Set- 
tlement ;  they  had  much  in  common,  were  intimately  associated 


BRUSH   CREEK   CHURCH.  71 

and  were  helpful  to  each  other.  Though  the  '^Zion  Settlement" 
was  a  little  older,  they  grew  up  together  and  were  for  many  years 
in  the  same  parish.  Both  settlements  and  the  organization  of 
the  church  were  made  early.  "It  is  difficult."  says  a  writer,  '  'to 
fix  the  precise  time  of  their  beginning.  Perhaps  they  grew  into 
being  without  what  is  now  called  an  act  of  organizati-on." 

There  was  no  doubt  a  provisional  organiization  here  for  a 
number  of  years,  like  those  which  have  been  elsewhere  mention- 
ed, which  were  served,  for  the  time  being,  by  laymen,  and  per- 
haps, an  occasional  trav<.*ling  missionary,  till  a  permanent  pastor 
could  Yjq  secured.  Tradition  says  that  there  ^ere  several  persons 
who  filled  the  office  in  the  Brush  Creek  church  at  different  times, 
:among  whom  were  Michael  Zundel  and  George  Bushyager. 

Provision  was  made  for  the  education  of  the  children  and 
youth,  as  well  as  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God,  as  soon  as 
■circumstances  permitted.  A  house  was  erected  to  be  used  as  a 
school  house  and  also  as  a  place  of  divine  worship.  This  house 
was  built  of  rough  logs,  split  logs  for  floor,  and  hewn  logs  for 
seats,  and  was  very  primitive  in  all  its  appointments.  It  stood  a 
few  rods  north  of  the  present  church.  It  served  a  good  purpose 
for  the  time  being  until  a  more  commodious  building  could  be 
erected ;  but,  during  one  of  those  dreadful  Indian  raids,  which 
were  then  a  frequent  occunence,  it  was  burned,  leaving  the  poor 
colony  without  a  school  house  or  a  church. 

During  this  attack  by  the  savages  all  the  settlers  fled  to  the 
forts  or  block  houses  as  far  as  possible,  but  not  a  few  were  mur- 
dered by  the  hostile  Indians.  It  is  difficult  for  us  now  to  form  a 
proper  conception  of  the  trials  and  self-denials  of  the  people  who 
lived  in  those  early  times.  They  came  to  a  wilderness  which  was 
infested  with  fierce  and  dangerous  wild  beasts,  and  inhabited  by 
savage  and  more  dangerous  wild  men.  They  had  to  clear  the 
forest  and  tame  the  land.  They  not  only  lived  in  the  most  sim- 
ple and  humble  style,  but  were  in  daily  fear  of  death,  for  the 
Indians  were  their  deadly  enemies.  In  order  co  get  a  true  idea 
of  their  condition  and  circumstances  it  will  be  necessary  to  note 
a  few  facts  in  the  history  of  those  times. 

Forts  or  block  houses  were  built  here  and  there  as  places  of 


72  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

refuge  in  times  ot  danger,  and  the  people  used  every  possible 
means  for  their  defence  and  protection.  The  principal  fort  of 
this  community  was  Fort  Walthour,  of  which  special  mention  is. 
made  in  the  history  of  Westmoreland  county.  Michael  Walt- 
hour  an  early  settler,  (1773)  who  owned  a  large  tract  of  land, 
and  who  is  the  grand  sire  of  the  well  known  Walthour  family, 
built  this  fort  near  his  own  house  for  the  protection  of  his  fam- 
ily, as  well  as  for  the  safety  and  defence  of  the  community.  It 
was  located  on  the  old  Walthour  farm,  close  to  the  home  of  the 
late  Christopher  M.  Walthour,  and  near  where  the  Clay  pike  in- 
tersects the  Pittsburg  pike,  and  served  as  a  place  of  refuge  for 
many  people  in  that  community. 

There  are  a  number  of  interesting  incidents  related  in  con- 
nection with  this  fort  by  an  aged  member  of  the  Walthour  fam- 
ily, Mrs.  Margaret  Gosser,  now  95  years  old.  As  it  was  a  place 
of  protection  and  defence  for  the  white  people,  the  Indians  kept 
their  eye  on  it  too.  Not  unfrequently  did  they  intercept  people 
who  were  fleeing  to  the  fort  for  protection.  One  Maxwell  and 
wife  were  killed  near  the  fort,  and  Peter  Willard,  a  well  known 
citizen,  and  his  daughter,  as  they  were  at  work  in  the  field,  flee- 
ing at  the  approach  of  the  savages,  were  killed  in  the  very  shad- 
ow of  the  fort,  while  a  son  escaped  and  reported  the  death  of  his 
father  and  sister.  This  announcement  aroused  the  indignation 
of  the  Walthour  brothers  (Michael,  Casper,  and  Joseph),  and 
others  who  were  at  the  fort.  Meanwhile  one  of  the  brothers 
shot  an  Indian  while  in  the  act  of  scalping  Peter  Willard,  but  did 
not  kill  him,  being  crippled  he  crawled  away  and  hid.  This  gave 
rise  to  the  Border  War  Story  of  "The  Lame  Indian."  They  all 
seized  their  guns,  pursued  the  savages,  shot  a  few  of  them,  but 
most  of  them  escaped  by  swimming  across  the  Allegheny  river. 

This  same  Michael  Walthour  built  the  first  mill  on  Brush 
Creek,  at  the  mouth  of  Bushy  Run,  now  Manor  Station,  which 
is  now  owned  by  Samuel  Walthour,  a  grand  son  of  this  patriarch 
of  the  Walthour  family.  There  is  a  stone  built  into  the  chimney 
of  this  mill  marked,  "Michael  Waldauer,  1785,"  showing  when 
it  was  built  and  by  whom.  It  did  service  for  over  100  years  and 
was  run  entirely  by  water  over  50  years.     Once  upon  a  time  the 


PLEASA  XI'  r N I T \'  1  'A  1! f^(  )X  AG  1". 


BRUSH   CREEK   CHURCH.  73 

mill  froze  up  and  could  do  no  work  for  some  weeks.  Tliis  put 
the  people  to  great  inconvenience,  but  also  developed  their  in- 
ventiveness. They  improvised  a  wooden  mortar  and  used  an  iron 
wedge  as  a  pestle  or  crusher  to  grind  their  corn,  which  was  then 
the  principal  grain  for  food.  Thus  they  managed  to  get  along 
till  the  ice  broke  and  the  mill  started  again  and  was  run  day  and 
night  till  the  wants  of  the  people  were  again  supplied  with  meal. 

Thus  we  see  what  trials  and  priv^ations  those  early  settlers 
had  to  endure.  Far  from  eastern  towns  and  points  of  ciziliza- 
tion,  without  convenient  means  of  transportation,  it  was  no  easy 
matter  to  get  supplies,  such  as  salt  and  other  things,  and,  espec- 
ially, the  necessary  utensils  for  home  and  farm,  which  had  to  be 
carried  across  the  mountains  on  horseback.  This  gives  us  an 
idea  how  early  civilization  began  here,  and  how  the  early  church 
was  organized,  for  we  know  that  the  fathers  provided  for  church 
and  school  as  soon  as  their  most  pressing  bodily  needs  were  met. 

After  the  school  house  was  destroyed  by  the  Indians  reli- 
gious services  were  conducted  in  private  houses,  sometimes  in 
the  forts,  until  the  church  was  built.  It  is  stated  that  services 
were  otten  held  at  L,outzenhiser's  and  at  Davises'  and  other  con- 
venient houses,  as  well  as  at  Fort  Walthour.  where  on  thel^ord's 
day  the  children  were  instructed  in  the  chatechism  by  the  godly 
men  and  women  of  that  da5^  "During  the  early  history  of  this 
community,"  says  a  historian,  "it  was  necessary  for  each  man  to 
carry  his  trusty  rifle  along  to  church  in  order  to  protect  the  peo- 
ple from  the  sudden  attack  of  the  hostile  Indians."  Sometimes 
it  was  deemed  necessary  for  one  to  stand  on  gu^rd  while  the  con- 
gregation was  engaged  in  worship. 

A  rifle  company  was  formed,  of  which  Adam  Saams  was 
captain,  and  were  in  readiness  at  an  hour's  notice  to  march  to 
the  relief  and  protection  of  settlers.  Saams  used  to  tell  that  his 
men  could  outrun  the  wild  warriors  of  the  forest,  and  could,  man 
by  man,  outfight  them  too. 

Some  time  early  in  1780  the  first  church  was  built.  "It  was 
a  structure  of  hewn  logs,  with  only  one  door,  and  that  at  the 
gable  end.  The  floor  was  of  puncheon,  the  seats  of  hewn  logs. 
There  was  no  pulpit,  no  galler}'-,  and  a  common  table  .served  as  an 


74  CONl'EPE.NrCE     niSTOKY. 

altar."  The  church  stood  for  a  number  of  years,  for  it  was 
used  till  the  present  brick  church  was  completed.  Rev.  N.  P, 
Hacke  stated  in  his  diary  that  he  preached  his  first  sermon  in  the 
old  church  in  the  spring  of  1819.  It  stood  in  the  centre  of  the 
old  graveyard,  and  was  at  one  time  surrounded  bv  fruit  trees, 
Mrs.  Eisaman.  who  was  well  known  to  the  older  members  of  the 
congregation,  used  to  tell  how  she  attended  services  here — that 
she  and  others  plucked  apples  off  the  trees  that  stcod  near  the 
Avindows  of  the  church. 

From  time  immemorial  this  Brush  Creek  church  has  had  two 
trustees — one  Lutheran  and  one  Reformed — who  have  control  of 
all  the  property  of  the  congregations,  and  have  general  manage- 
ment of  the  temporal  affairs.  On  the  20th  day  of  July,  1797, 
Dr.  David  Marchand,  the  grand  sire  of  the  well  known  and  rep- 
utable Marchand  families  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  conveyed  to 
the  trustees  of  the  German  Lutheran  and  Calvinist  Reformed 
congregations  of  the  Brush  Creek  church,  for  the  sum  of  28;^,  12s 
and  6d,  182  acres  of  land,  being  part  of  the  tract  patented  by 
him  on  the  14th  November,  1792,  and  he  made  the  title  on  the 
following  conditions,  viz  :  That  no  part  of  this  land  shall  ever  be 
sold,  and,  also,  that  peace  and  harmony  shall  be  preserved  in  the 
church.  He  states  in  the  deed  :  "I  do  hereby  prohibit  the  trus- 
tees from  selling,  bartering,  or  in  any  way  disposing  of  said 
granted  premises,  or  any  part  thereof,  under  penalties  of  forfeit- 
ing the  right  and  title  of  said  congregations  to  said  granted 
premises,  and  in  case  of  it  becoming  forfeited  then  it  shall  imme- 
diately revert  to  said  David  Marchand,  or  his  heirs,  on  the  re- 
imbursement of  said  congregation,  without  interest.  It  is  also 
provided  that  if  contentions  shall  ari.se  between  the  ministers,  or 
in  the  congregations,  the  party  or  parties  at  fault,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  trustees,  or  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  congregation,  shall 
be  deprived  of  their  offices  or  pridleges  and  be  dismissed  from 
the  congregation  till  reconciliation  is  effected  and  peace  and  har- 
mony restored  in  the  church." 

That  the  conditions  of  this  deed  have  been  most  egregiously 
violated,  goes  without  saying,  and  had  the  penalties  of  this  con- 
veyance been  executed  the  Brush  Creek  church  would  not  now 


BRUSH   CREEK   CHURCH.  75 

own  one  acre  of  the  land  so  conveyed.  The  congregation  can 
well  thank  the  heirs  of  Dr.  Marchand  for  their  kind  forbearance. 

The  closing  years  of  the  Kighteenth  and  the  first  years  of 
the  Nineteenth  century,  were  full  of  trials  and  trouble  for  the 
poor  settlers.  After  the  Indian  wars  and  the  Revolutionary  War 
were  over,  then  came  the  uprising  in  Western  Pennsylvania 
called  the  "Whiskey  In^^urrection."  All  these  formed  a  combi- 
nation of  causes  that  paralized  business,  and  also  greatly  affected 
the  church.  This  state  of  depression  continued  for  some  years, 
and,  of  course,  the  church  grew  slowly.  After  there  had  been  a 
short  breathing  spell,  and  the  country  had  somewhat  recovered 
from  the  drain  that  these  wars  had  made  upon  it,  then  came  the 
War  of  1 812,  which  made  new  demands  upon  the  people,  and 
took  not  a  few  from  the  field  and  shop  to  the  seat  of  war. 
But  as  soon  as  the  people  had  time  to  gather  again  and  re- 
cuperate from  the  additional  demand  that  had  been  made  upon 
them,  they  made  a  move  to  make  better  provision  for  the  service 
of  God's  house. 

In  18 1 5  a  Union  constitution  was  adopted  by  the  two  con- 
gregations, which  has  been  the  organic  law  of  the  congregations 
ever  since.  Soon  after  this  action  had  been  taken  a  resolution 
was  unanimously  adopted  to  build  a  new  church,  and  the  trustees 
took  measures  at  once  to  raise  money  and  provide  material  for 
this  purpose. 

Work  was  commenced  on  the  building,  which  was  to  be  of 
brick,  and  on  the  17th  day  of  August,  18 16,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  with  appropriate  and  impressive  services.  But  the  work  of 
building  was  interrupted,  as  the  trustees  got  into  trouble  with 
the  contractor  of  the  brick  work,  which  ended  in  a  lawsuit  that 
cost  the  congregation  $500. 

The  work  was  carried  on  as  fast  as  money  and  materials 
could  be  provided,  and  the  church  was  finished  early  in  1820. 
Mr.  Jacob  Dry,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  congregation,  did  the 
carpenter  work. 

The  church  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  as  soon 
as  completed,  by  the  pastors,  Revs.  John  Michael  Steck  and  N. 
P.  Hacke,    assisted  by  Rev.    Henry  Gephert,  of  Bedford,   Pa., 


7^  COlsTFERENCE   HrSTORY. 

who  prcaclied  the   dedication  .seimon   on    this  joyous  occasion^ 

As  the  subscriptions  to  the  building  fund  fell  far  short,  the 
trustees,  Michael  Battghman  and  John  Shrum,  applied  to  the  State 
Legislature  and  had  an  act  passed  authorizing  them  to  sell  82  acres 
of  the  church  farm  and  appropriate  the  proceeds  to  the  payment 
of  the  debt  on  the  church,  which  was  done,  though  contrary  to 
the  conditions  on  which  the  land  had  been  conveyed  and  accepted 

This  is  a  plain  brick  church,  about  40x50  feet  in  ske,  twO' 
stories,  with  gallery  on  three  sides,  high  pulpit,  after  the  pattern 
of  the  churches  of  that  day.  It  cost  about  $4,500,  or  perhaps, 
$5,000.  lyike  the  old  log  church,  it  was  at  first  without  any 
means  of  heating,  which  caused  much  discomfort  at  times,  and 
often  in  winter  made  it  necessary  to  hold  the  services  in  the 
school  house, 

A  story  is  told  of  the  old  pastor  who  had  Kinderlehre  on  one 
of  those  cold  day.^.  in  early  spring,  and  when  he  found  that  the 
children  and  youth  could  no  longer  endure  the  cold  he  advised 
them  to  go  out,  gather  wood  and  build  a  fire  near  the  church, 
which  they  did,  and  warmed  themselves,  and  after  they  were  well 
warmed  up  he  called  them  in  again  and  held  another  session 
with  them.  This  plan  would  hardly  work  successfully  with  our 
young  people  now. 

As  has  been  stated,  this  community  was  originally  thor- 
oughly German,  and  continued  so  for  many  years,  and,  no  doubt, 
many  of  the  old  people  thought  that  it  would  always  continue  to 
be  so.  The  people  were  strongly  attached  to  the  German  lan- 
guage and  German  church  services,  but  in  the  course  of  time 
there  came  a  change.  The  English  language  came  with  other 
changes,  and  it  came  to  stay,  for  it  is  the  language  of  law  and 
of  commerce,  and  must  necessarily  become  the  language  of  the 
people.  There  were  not  a  few  among  these  people  who  reasoned 
like  a  certain  German  minister  whom  we  met  and  with  whom  we 
discussed  the  necessity  of  introducing  English  into  our  church 
services,  but  he  demurred  and  said  :  "Yah,  English  fuer  gescheft, 
aber  Deutch  fuer  Gottesdienst,"  English  for  business  but  Ger- 
man for  divine  worship.  Some  of  our  older  pastors  hesitated  a 
long  time  in  deciding  whether  or  not  it  was  right  to  give  up  the 


BRXrSH   CREEK   CHURCH,  77 

German  language  in  our  church  service.  It  took  Dr.  Hacke  a 
.•good  while  to  make  up  his  mind,  and  the  same  is  true  of  Rev. 
Mechling.  The  advocates  of  German  had  always  counted  oh 
Rev.  Hacke  as  their  strong  defence,  for  he  was  a  cultured  German 
who  loved  the  German  language,  its  literature,  as  weli  as  German 
services,  but  when  he  finally  discovered  that  the  introduction  of 
English  in  the  church  service  was  a  necessity,  he  rose  above  his 
prejudices  and  favored  the  introduction  of  English,  When  his 
old  German  friends  heard  of  this  they  were  high!)'  offended,  and 
no  little  disgusted,  and  said:  ^'Yah,  gook,  der  Hacke  will  audi 
eine  Irisher  werde." 

The  language  question  has  alwaj's  been  a  burning  question 
in  our  church,  and  the  opjxjsition  of  many  of  the  fathers  to  the 
introduction  of  English  into  our  church  services  has  cost  us 
many  members,   and  millions  of  dollars. 

In  1848  this  question  was  brought  squarely  before  the  Brush 
Creek  congregation  by  those  who  desired  English  services  for 
themselves  and  their  children.  A  strong  effort  was  made  on  the 
part  of  our  synod,  and  on  the  part  of  prominent  men  of  the  con- 
gregation, to  compromise  the  matter  and  preserve  the  unity  of 
the  congregation,  by  calling  a  minister  who  could  preach  and 
minister  both  in  German  and  English  ;  but  the  opposition  was  so 
strong  that  the  German-English  people  were  voted  down  and  it 
was  decided,  for  the  time,  that  Brush  Creek  church  was  purely 
German.  This  was  the  cause  of  the  organization  of  the  Ho'y 
Trinity  church  of  Adamsburg,  which  took  out  not  a  few  of  the 
leading  members  of  the  old  Brush  Creek  church,  and,  of  course, 
tor  the  time  being,  created  a  bitter  feeling  against  the  new 
congregation. 

The  old  mother  church  has  had  ten  pastors,  including  Rev. 
Philip  Doerr,  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  A.  Ulricli  Euetge,  who 
resided  at  Har -old's,  in  the  Zion  settlement,  was  the  first  pastor. 
He  took  charge  of  Horrold's  church  in  1782,  and,  no  doubt, 
came  to  Brush  Creek  soon  after,  or  perhaps,  about  the  same  time. 
He  organized  the  congregation  more  fully  and  regularly  preached 
the  Word  and  administered  the  Holy  Sacraments  witn  proper 
authority  and  solemity.     The    woi'k   of    the  congregation    was 


■)S  CONFEKKNCE   HISTORY, 

carried  successfully  forward  as  far  as  circumstances  permitted. 
No  doubt  he  and  pastor  Weber,  of  the  Reformed  church, worked 
together  in  the  same  field,  in  a  large  measure,,  for  all  the  churches 
at  that  time  were  Union  churches*     He  preached  and  ministered 
to  the  people  during  the  trying  years  of  our  history   in  Western. 
Pennsylvania.     After  his  strength  was  spent  he  retired,  and  iu 
the  autumn  of  1792  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  was   installed  as  pastor 
of  the  Greensburg  parish,  and  took  charge  of  this  congregation. 
He  was  young,  active,  and  able  to  endure  hardships.     He  minis- 
tered to  this  congregation  38  years.     Who  can  comprehend  what 
that  means,  to  be  among  a  people  for  a  whole  lifetime,  and  who 
Gan  tell  the  work  that  was  done  in  all  these  years  ?     He  baptized 
the  children,  confirmed  them,   and,  later,  joined  many  of  them 
in  marriage,  and  baptized  their  children  ;  buried    their  fathers 
and   mothers,  and  saw  a  whole  generation  pass  away  before  him. 
We  have  no  record  of  his  work,  but  we  can  imagine  what  a  long 
list  of  ministerial  acts  his  work  would  make.     How  many  ser- 
mons he  preached  and  how  many  funerals  he  conducted  ;  how 
many  children  he  blessed  in  holy  baptism ;  how  many  youths  he 
consecrated  in  confirmation,  and   to   how  manj^  people  he  minis- 
tered the  consolations  of  the  Gospel  in   a  dying  hour.     He  was 
gathered  to  his  fathers  in  the  autumn  of  1830,  and  Rev.  Michael 
J.  Steck.  his  son,  became  his   successor,  who  fully  entered  upon 
his  father's  work,  and   largely  increased  the  membership  of  the 
congregation.     In   1848,  when   he  was  called  to  his  reward,  this 
was  a  strong  congregation,  numbering  at  least  400  communicant 
members.     It  would  have  been  able  to  support  a  minister  alone, 
but  for  the  next  twenty  years  it  was  a  part  of  a  parish  that  had 
over  1,200  members,  and  had  less  than  one-fourth  the  services  of 
a  minister.     How  could  the  resources  and   membership  of  the 
congregation  be  developed? 

Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  was  the  fourth  pastor  who  served  this 
congregation  in  connection  with  the  Greensburg  parish.  These 
old  ministers  had  too  much  territory  for  proper  development.  At 
one  time  Rev.  Mechling  had  over  2,000  members  in  his  parish. 
In  the  spring  of  1868  Father  Mechling  was  called  to  his  reward, 
and  the  Greensburg  parish,  which  he  had  served  for  19  years. 


BRUSH    CREEK    CHURCH.  75 

became  vacant  and  was  now  divided.  Brush  Creek  and  Manor 
•congregations  were  constituted  a  parish,  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink 
was  called  to  become  its  pastor.  He  took  charge  soon  after  the 
<leath  of  its  pastor.  Rev.  Mechling,  and  on  the  6th  ot  June,  1868, 
held  his  first  communion,  at  which  175  were  present.  He  added 
54  members  during  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate,  and  at  the 
communion  in  the  following  year  209  were  present.  As  he  held 
more  frequent  services  than  were  held  by  his  predecessors,  a 
greater  interest  was  awakened  in  the  congregation. 

Rev.  J.  vS,  Fink  did  faithful  work  during  his  ministry  among 
these  people,  and  made  many  friends  in  the  congregation.  Dur- 
ing hi,  pastorate,  in  1875,  the  congregation  returned  to  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  gave  up  the  ministry  in 
1 88 1,  and  not  a  few  of  his  friends  expressed  deep  regret  when  he 
was  dismissed  from  his  holy  office.  He  reported  697  infant  bap- 
tisms, about  200  confirmations,  and  an  effective  membership  of 
two  hundred  and  forty. 

In  the  fall  of  1881  Rev.  E.  G.  Lnnd  became  his  successor, 
and  was  installed  pastor  on  the  3rd  of  February,  1882,  by  Rev. 
E.  Belfour,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  was  pastor  of  this 
congregation  only  two  years,  when  he  was  called  to  a  church  in 
the  city  of  Milwaukee,  Wis.  He  served  this  people  with  great 
acceptance — was  popular  as  a  preacher  and  pastor,  and  at  the 
close  of  his  short  pastorate,  he  reported  40  infant  baptisms,  59 
confirmations,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  350. 

Rev.  C  H.  Hemsath  was  called  as  his  successor,  who  was 
installed  as  pastor  on  the  3rd  of  February,  1884,  by  Rev.  W.  P. 
Shanor,  of  Allegheny,  Pa.  He  ministered  faithfully  to  this  con- 
gregation, but,  likejhis  predecessor,  he  was  here  too  short  a  time 
to  do  much  in  its  permanent  development.  He  has  reported  120 
baptisms,  88  confirmations,  15  additions  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  a  communicant  membership  of  493. 

Rev.  Charles  S.  Seaman  became  his  successor  on  the  ist  of 
January,  1887,  and  was  installed  pastor  on  the  1st  of  February, 
by  Revs.  E.  G.  lyund  and  E.  L,.  Baker.  He  was  an  earnest  man, 
did  effective  work  in  the  congregation,  and  was  much  beloved; 
but  in  the  midst    of    his  usefulness  he  was  stricken  down  by 


ga  CCJTNTKliENCE  IIISTOKV.. 

typhoid  fever,  and  died  September  6,  S889.  ?Iis  death  made  a. 
solemn  inlpl■es^^io•.l  on  the  eongre;,'ation.  During  his  pastorate 
he  organized  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation,  Harrison? 
City,  on  the  13th  March,  18S7,  and  also  organized  a  Lutheran 
Sunday  School  I'n  the  Adamsburg  chnrch.  His  p«rochkl  reports- 
give  the  following  :  93  baptisms  ;:  59  confirmations  and  542  com- 
aiunicant  members. 

In  the  following  December  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman,  brother 
of  the  df ceased,  who  had  received  a  unanimous  call  from  the 
congregation,  becaime  h^s  successor,  and  was  installed  in  January, 
1890,  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith.  D.  D  He  was  pastor  oi  this  parish, 
constituted  then  of  Brush  Creek  church,  and  Trinity,  Adams- 
burg, for  seven  years  and  a  half  r  during  which  time  a  nnmber  of 
changes  were  made  rn  chorcli  relations.  Trinity,  Jeannette,  and 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  at  Penn,  were  organized,  and 
a  beginnmg  was  made  at  Aroiui, 

Rev.  Seaman  ministered  faithfully  to  this  parish,  holding 
services  alternately  at  Brush  Creek  and  Adamsburg  churches. 
In  1S90  he  commenced  to  hold  services  at  Arona,  and  in  1893 
formed  a  provisional  organization,  but,  owing  to  some  opposition, 
it  was  not  then  made  permanent. 

At  the  recommendation  of  the  synod  an  effort  was  made  in 
1894,  to  unitt  Trinity  church,  Adamsburg,  and  Brush  Creek, 
into  one  organization,  but,  owing  to  a  disagreement  about  the  own- 
ership of  the  property  of  Trinity  congregation,  the  effort  failed. 
In  I894  Penn  congregation  was  added  to  the  Brush  Creek 
parish,  and  in  1896  Rev.  Seaman  moved  the  the  Sunday  School, 
which  had  been  organized,  and  also  for  a  number  of  years  con- 
ducted in  the  Adamsburg  church,  to  the  Brush  Creek  church, 
where  it  has  been  held  ever  since  July  i ,  of  that  year. 

Rev.  George  S.  Seaman  resigned  the  Brush  Creek  parish  and 
accepted  a  call  to  the  Homestead  Mission,  which  has  since  be- 
come a  self-sustaining  church.  His  last  report  gives  the  follow- 
ing :  172  baptisms;  107  confirmations;  .51  additions  by  letters  of 
transfer,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  335.  A  vacancy  of 
six  months  followed  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Seaman. 

On  the  2Sth  of  January,  1897,  Rev.  P.  Doerr   w^as  called  as 


BRUSH   CREEK   CHURCH.  8 1 

his  successor.  He  entered  on  his  work  on  the  ist  of  March  and 
was  installed  on  the  gth  of  May,  by  Rev.  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D. 
Rev.  Doerr  lias  now  served  this  congregation  for  four  years, 
faithfully  preaching  the  Word  almost  every  Lord's  day  and  reg- 
ularly administering  the  Holy  Sacraments.  He  has  reported 
65  baptisms,  95  confirmations,  losses  by  death  and  removal  85, 
and  the  communicant  membership  is  325. 

When  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  became  pastor  of  this  congregation 
in  ('1868)  he  held  twice  as  many  services  as  his  predecessors  had 
done.  And  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman  still 
more  services  were  held  in  thi^  parish,  and  now,  under  the  present 
pastor,  the  Brush  Creek  congregation  has  services  every  Lord's 
day.  This  change  will,  no  doubt,  in  time  work  much  good  for 
the  congregation,  for  it  is  our  opinion  that  every  congregation 
ought  to  have  a  service  every  Lord's  day.  There  ought  to  be  no 
off  Sundays.  This  congregation  is  now  having  the  experience 
of  not  a  few  of  our  older  congregations  in  the  rural  districts, 
that  its  roll  of  members  is  gradually  declining,  yet  it  must  be  a 
source  of  comfort  and  satisfaction  to  the  old  mother  church  to 
see  her  children  around  her  on  every  side. 

Trinity  Church,  Adamsburg,  was  organized  (in  1849)  en- 
tirely of  members  belonging  to  this-  church,  and  is,  therefore, 
her  eldest  daughter,  and,  we  think,  mother  and  daughter  ought 
to  have  most  kindly  feelings  one  for  another,  and,  forgiving  all 
past  offenses,  strive  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bonds 
of  peace.  The  time  may  soon  come — may  God  speed  it — when 
mother  and  daughter  shall  join  in  the  building  of  one  church 
and  worship  together  in  '^ne  sanctuary. 

Zion's  congregation,  Harrison  City,  was  also  in  part  organ- 
ized of  members  of  this  congregation.  So  also  Jeannette  and 
Penn  Lutheran  churches  are  made  up  almost  entirely  of  mem- 
bers from  Brush  Creek,  and  are  doing  well.  A  pleasing  feature 
of  the  history  of  this  congregation  is  the  organization  of  the 
new  cemetery.  It  is  the  pride  of  the  Brush  Creek  congregation. 
There  is  not  a  finer  location  for  a  cemetery  in  all  Western  Penn- 
sylvania. Including  the  old  burying  ground,  it  is  also  quite  old. 
Many  of  the  leading  people  ot  this  community,  and  indeed,  of 


82  CONFERENCE   HISTORV. 

this  couutj',  have  baen  buried  here.  There  are  many  graves  here- 
over  loo  years  old.  We  noted  one  that  was  marked  1788,  and, 
no  doubt,  the  oldest  graves  are  unmarked.  When  we  walk 
through  this  God's  acre  our  thoughts  are  carried  back  and  we 
imagine  that  we  see  three  generations  of  the  past  before  us. 

The  Cemetery  company  is  a  close  corporation,  filling  its  own 
vacancies,  but  must  select  members  of  the  Lutheran  and  Re- 
formed congregations  who  are  lot  owners  in  the  cemetery.  The 
grounds  of  the  cemetery-,  including  about  tv/enty-five  acres,  were 
deeded  to  the  corporation  by  the  trustees  of  the  Brush  Creek 
church  for  a  nominal  consideration.  They  are  enclosed  with  a 
beautiful  hedge  fence;  are  laid  out  in  lots,  which  are  sold  to  the 
members  and  others  at  very  reasonable  rates. 

The  trustees  of  the  Brush  Creek  church  are  noteworthy. 
There  are  two,  one  from  each  congregation.  They  are  selected 
bj'  the  congregation,  but  their  election  has  no  time  limit.  They 
hold  office  and  exercise  authority  according  to  the  Union  consti- 
tution adopted  by  the  two  congregations  in  1815.  The  first 
Board  of  Trustees  were  Adam  Baughman  and  John  Shrom,  Sr., 
who  were  in  authority  in  1820,  when  the  first  brick  church  was 
dedicated,  and  when  the  eighty- two  acres  of  the  church  farm 
were  sold  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  to  help  to  pay  the 
debt  still  resting  on  the  church  at  the  time  of  its  dedication. 
The  second  board  were  Michael  Baughman  and  Peter  Whitehead, 
Sr.,  who  were  in  office  in  1864,  when  forty  acres  of  coal  were 
sold  for  $5,330.  The  present  trustees  are  John  Rumbaugh,  (L) 
and  Peter  Whitehead,  Jr.,  (R). 

According  to  the  organic  law  of  the  Brush  Creek  church 
these  trustees  hold,  manage  and  control  all  the  propert>  interests 
of  the  church,  real  and  personal.  The  farm  has  now  been  owned 
by  the  congregations  for  104  years,  during  which  time  the  trus- 
tees have  disposed  of  part  of  the  land  and  part  of  the  coal.  The 
church  now  holds  only  about  seventy-five  acres  of  land  and  the 
coal  under  about  thirty  acres  of  it.  The  rest  has  been  spent  in 
the  administration  of  atfairs  in  the  congregations  in  these  years. 
The  time  will  come  when  the  congregations  will  dissolve  their 
union,  and  they  will  not  own  a  farm.     It  might  be  better  for  the 


BRUSH    CREEK    CHURCH.  "83 

congregations,  for,  in  our  opinion,  farms  and  bequests  are  no 
blessing  to  congregations  except  in  rare  cases.  To  have  land  or 
money  bequeathed  oftener  spoils  than  proves  a  blessinti;  to  them, 
just  as  often  people  are  spoiled  by  inheriting  large  estates.  Our 
best  and  most  prosperous,  as  well  as  most  liberal  congregations, 
are  those  who  had  to  struggle  for  life  during  the  first  years  of 
their  history. 

Brush  Creek  church  would  be  a  stronger  and  better  church 
to-day  if  that  money  had  not  been  spent  for  their  benefit,  but 
they  had  been  called  on  to  pay  the  money  necessary  to  maintain 
the  affairs  of  the  congregation.  It  does  people  good  to  give 
money  for  a  good  purpose  and  they  have  a  deeper  interest  in  a 
cause  to  which  lliey  have  contributed  money.  Under  the  pres- 
-ent  mod€  of  administration  the  money  will  soon  all  be  gone  and 
there  will  be  notliing  to  show  for  it.  We  have  no  controversy 
with  the  trustees,  nor  do  we,  for  a  moment,  question  their  integ- 
rity, but,  knowing  what  we  do,  we  cannot  commend  the  manner 
in  which  the  coal  money  was  spent,  in  improvements  on  the  farm 
or  minor  repairs  on  the  church.  A  house  was  built  on  the  farm, 
but  if  you  must  draw  on  church  funds  to  keep  up  the  farm,  it 
would  be  better  to  have  no  farm.  This  reminds  the  writer  of 
the  time  when  he  was  pastor  of  a  church  that  had  an  interest  in 
a  small  farm.  The  chorister  had  the  farm  free  of  rent  and  the 
congregation  paid  the  taxes.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  cot.^ 
money  was  not  considered  a  sacred  trust  to  be  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  benevolence.  Had  it  been  invested  at  6  per  cent,  thirty 
years  ago,  and  properly  looked  after,  there  would,  or  there  could 
now  be.  a  fund  of  $45,000.  What  a  nice  work  Old  Brush  Creek 
could  do  with  that  sum  of  money  !  A  true  church  work,  either 
educational  or  benevolent !  The  incon.e  of  the  farm  ought  to 
to  have  been  sufiicient  to  make  all  needed  repairs,  and  more,  and 
as  for  the  two  congregations,  they  have  been  able  to  take  care  of 
themselves  for  the  last  half  century.  It  was  a  mistake  to  give 
them  this  money. 

The  Lutheran  congregation  of  the  Brush  Creek  church  has 
a  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  is  a  useful  organization  in  any  con- 
gregation.    Women   are  good   church   workers,    and    by    their 


84  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

earnest  efforts  often  stimulate  the  men  to  render  assistance  in  a 
good  cause.  This  woman's  society  of  the  Brush  Creek  church 
is  made  up  of  good,  earnest  Christian  women,  and  is  doing  a  good 
work.  It  is  our  opinion  that  every  congregation  ought  also  to 
have  a  Young  People's  Society,  either  a  Mission  lycague  or  a 
Luther  League.  This  is  an  important  arm  of  service  in  a  con- 
gregation, next  to  a  good  and  prosperous  Sunday  School.  It  will 
aid  in  the  development  of  the  talents  and  resources  of  the  con- 
gregation, especially  in  the  Christian  education  and  spiritual 
culture  of  the  young  people,  which  is  of  the  highest  importance. 
It  would  be  well  if  our  pastors  would  give  this  matter  special 
attention,  and  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  organize  Luther 
Leagues  wherever  it  can  be  done  successfully. 

The  Church  Council  of  the  Brush  Creek  church  at  present 
are;  Levi  Fox,  Peter  Eisaman,  O.  F.  Myers,  George  Young, 
Edward   Rumbaus;h   and  Samuel  Allshouse. 

Frank  Baughman,  treasurer. 

List  of  pastors:  Rev.  Anthony  Ulrich  Luetge,  1 782-1 791  ; 
Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  1792-1830;  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  1830- 
1848;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1849-1868;  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  1868- 
1881  ;  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund,  1881-1883;  Rev.  C.  H.  Hemsah,  1884- 
1886;  Rev.  Charles  S.  Seaman,  1887-1889 ;  Rev.  George  S. 
Seaman,  1889-1896;  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  1897  to  present  time. 


IV.    JACOB'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH, 
GERMAN  TOWNSHIP,  FAYETTE  COUNTY. 

Little  is  known  of  the  early  beginnings  of  Jacob's  Church, 
as  no  records  have  been  preserved,  or  at  least  none  have  come 
down  to  us,  of  the  organization  or  history  of  this  congregation. 
Rev.  John  Stouch,  who  took  charge  of  Jacob's  Church  in  1791, 
was  the  first  pastor  of  this  congregation,  which,  no  doubt,  had 
an  existence  for  a  number  of  years  before  his  arrival,  for  he 
found  that  a  beginning  had  been  made — some  one  had  been  here 


JACOB'S   CHURCH.  85 

to  build  a  chuch,  secure  a  farm  for  the  church,  and  build  a  house 
for  the  pastor.  This  German  colony  in  German  township,  Fay- 
ette county,  was  bepun  early,  and  was  very  much  like  the  Zion 
settlement  in  Westmoreland  county,  of  which  mention  has  been 
made.  From  the  information  which  we  have  been  able  to  gather 
we  are  of  the  opinion  that  these  settlements  were  made  in  a  sim- 
ilar manner,  and  at  about  the  same  time.  They  are,  without 
doubt,  the  oldest  German  communities  in  Western  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  congregations  founded  by  them  have  a  like  claim.  The 
f[uesiion  may  be  raised,  which  is  the  older  church  of  the  two?  In 
both  the  settlements  there  were  provisional  organizations,  and 
both  were  for  years  without  a  regular  pastor,  but  Old  Zion, 
(Harrold's)  had  a  pastor  ten  years  before  Jacob's  Church  had, 
and  may  therefore  claim  priority.  We  have  learned  from  the 
history  of  Fayette  county  that  settlers  came  to  German  township 
as  early  as  1765  and  1767  and  after  1769,  when  all  lands  west  of 
the  I^aurel  Hill  were  declared  open  to  settlers,  immigrants  came 
in  large  numbers  to  this  section  ot  the  county.  They  came  from 
Maryland,  from  Virginia,  and  even  from  Europe,  and  joined  the 
colony  in  German  township.  They  came  to  this  county  when  it 
was  yet  a  wilderness.  They  had  to  clear  the  forest,  prepare 
homes  and  seek  a  living  for  themselves,  and  those  depending  on 
them,  and  at  th^  same  time  protect  themselves  against  the  wild 
natives,  as  well  as  the  wild  beasts  that  roamed  in  the  woods. 
As  soon  as  they  had  provided  for  their  most  urgent  wants,  and 
had  a  plain  home  to  protect  themselves  from  the  storm,  they  pro- 
vided for  church  and  school.  One  building  was  made  to  answer 
at  first  for  both.  They  built  a  rude  log  structure,  like  the  others 
we  have  already  described,  a  floor  of  puncheon  and  logs  as  seats, 
and  all  its  arrangements  of  the  most  simple  and  primitive  char- 
acter. This  house  stood  some  distance  east  of  the  present  church 
and  served  as  a  place  of  worsnip  for  a  number  of  years.  Later 
a  second  church  was  built,  which  stood  in  the  old  graveyard  a 
few  rods  west  of  the  present  church.  It  was  built  of  hewn  logs 
and  had  a  somewhat  better  plan  and  finish  than  the  first  church. 
It  had  a  gallery,  like  the  old  church  at  Harrold's,  an  altar  and 
wine-glass  pulpit,  but  was  otherwise  plain  in  all  its  appointments. 


86  CONFEPENCE     HISTORY, 

In  this  house  the  fathers  of  our  Lutheran  church  in  German 
township  worshipped  for  many  j^ears.  It  was  repaired  in  later 
years  and  much  improved  on  its  original  plan  and  finish,  by  put- 
ting in  new  seats  and  new  windows.  It  stood  for  a  number  of 
years  after  the  first  brick  church  had  been  built,  and  was  not  re- 
moved till  1853.  In  this  church  the  people  of  Jacob's  congrega- 
tion worshipped  during  all  these  years  of  trial  and  tribulation 
that  came  upon  our  poor  settlers. 

The  same  causes  operated  here  that  were  active  elsewhere. 
The  Indian  trouble  hung  over  them  like  a  nightmare,  the  War  of 
Independence,  and  then  the  War  of  181 2,  laid  great  burdens 
upon  them ;  and  they  were  also  greatly  annoyed  and  perplexed 
over  the  dispute  of  the  boundary  line,  for  it  unsettled  all  their 
land  titles.  Though  the  Indian  wars  were  not  as  sharp  in  the 
territory  of  Fayette  county  as  they  were  in  Westmoreland,  yet 
the  people  stood  in  daily  fear  of  death.  They  built  forts  and 
block  houses  and  used  every  means  for  their  protection  from  their 
savage  foes,  Ever57man  carried  his  gun  wherever  he  went,  even 
to  church.  Not  unfrequently  they  had  to  watch  and  pray.  One 
stood  on  guard  while  the  congregation  was  engaged  in  worship. 
We  cannot,  at  this  date,  with  all  our  comforts  and  advantages, 
realize  hew  many  trials  and  privations  those  good,  faithful  peo- 
ple endured,  yet  in  the  face  of  all  the  dangers,  and  in  spite  of  all 
these  trials,  settlers  came  and  joined  this  colony. 

Tradition  has  related  that  in  1769  Philip  Schmitt  (now 
Smith),  father  of  Henry  Smith,  who  was  well  known  to  the  peo- 
ple of  this  community,  joined  the  German  colony.  He  came 
from  Frederick,  Md.,  and  settled  on  land  on  York's  Run,  now 
owned  by  Morris,  Dieffenbach  and  others.  He  came  to  this  sec- 
tion of  the  county  because  he  was  a  Lutheran,  and  desired  to  be 
near  a  Lutheran  church.  This  is  evidence  that  there  was  then 
the  beginning  of  a  Lutheran  church  here. 

We  have  an  old  historic  document  of  1773,  written  in  Penn- 
.sylvania  German  dialect,  which  reads  as  follows  :  "31st  of  July, 
1773.  The  condition  of  this  agreement  in  respect  to  the  Re- 
formed congregation  is,  that  the  Lutheran  congregation  shall 
have   the   s.i.r.ic    rieht   to   the  church   and   to   the   land  as  the 


JACOB'S   CHURCH.  87 

Reformed  congregation.  If  the  congregation  should  become  too 
strong,  and  should  a  dispute  arise,  then  both  congregations  shall 
build  another  church,  in  form  as  this  one  is  built,  and  the  Re- 
formed congregation  binds  itself  for  56/"  current  money.  No 
minister  shall  come  into  and  preach  in  the  church  unless  he  has 
good  testimonials  in  his  hands,  that  he  is  an  ordained  minister — 
which  we  acknowledge  with  our  hands.  Signed,  John  Ertman, 
Jacob  Reich,  Casper  Bohner." 

This  paper  is  evidence  that  there  was  an  organization  here 
long  before  Rev.  John  Stouch  came  to  this  field,  and  seems  to 
indicate  that  the  Reformed  were  stronger  at  that  time  than  the 
lyUtherans,  as  they  conceded  certain  privileges  to  the  Lutherans. 
It  also  shows  that  Jacob's  Church  was  originally  organized  as  a 
Union  congregation.  There  was  only  one  organization  and  one 
administration,  composed  of  Lutheran  and  Reformed  members, 
but  the  rights  of  both  denominations  were  distinctly  recognized, 
as  the  following  article  will  show,  which  was  adopted  on  Trinity 
Sunday,  1790,  and  signed  by  twenty-five  leading  members  of 
both  churches : 

"We,  the  congregations  of  Jacob's  Church  of  German  town- 
ship, Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  confess  that  as  God  is  a  God 
of  order,  without  which  no  church  can  exist  and  be  carried  on, 
do  cheerfully  resolve  to  make  the  following  rules  and  reg- 
ulations as  a  bond  of  fellowship  and  love :  The  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  (congregations)  shall  have  the  same  right  to  ho!d 
services  and  choose  a  pastor,  and  will  be  expected  to  support  the 
building  and  the  services  of  the  church.  There  shall  be  two 
deacons  elected  on  each  side  to  gather  the  alms  and  collections  of 
the  congregation,  as  well  as  to  render  due  and  proper  assistance 
to  the  pastor.  There  shall  be  four  elders  elected  on  each  side, 
who  shall  constitute  the  church  council.  It  shall  be  their  duty, 
annually,  to  hold  settlement  with  the  deacons  before  the  congre- 
gation, and  to  adjust  and  settle  (rich ten  und  schlichten)  all  dis- 
putes and  disorders  in  the  congregation.  It  is  further  deemed 
necessary  to  elect  two  trustees,  one  from  each  side,  whose  duly 
shall  be  to  receive  and  account  for  all  monies  collected  in  the 
congregation.     The  elders   and   trustees  shall  be  authorized  to 


88  conpbrence;  history. 

attend  to  all  necessary  work  of  building  or  repairs.  It  is  turtlier 
unanimously  resolved,  as  all  public  scandal  is  a  disgrace  to  the 
church,  and  since  Christ  and  his  Apostles  have  commanded  that 
it  shall  not  be  allowed,  therefore,  those  who  sin  publicly  must  be 
publicly  reproved.  It  is  further  agreed  that  no  minister  shall  be 
allowed  to  preach  in  the  church  unless  he  comes  properly  accred- 
ited. The  minister  shall  preach  the  Word,  administer  the  Holy 
Sacraments,  and  teach  the  children  and  )'outh,  and  he  shall  also 
be  properly  supported  by  the  congregation." 

On  the  14th  Sunday  after  Trinity,  1807.  some  further  action 
was  taken  along  the  same  line,  and  an  election  was  held  for  elders 
and  deacons  in  the  Union  congregation  of  Jacob's  Church.  On 
the  side  of  the  Lutherans  two  elders  and  two  deacons  were  elected, 
and  the  same  on  the  side  of  the  Reformed.  We  find  the  church 
was  thus  controlled  for  a  number  of  years,  but  in  the  course  of 
time  the  Reformed  congregation  gradually  declined  and  finally 
died  out.  It  may  have  been  owing  to  neglect  on  their  part,  and 
want  of  services. 

At  this  point  we  will  note  the  services  of  Rev.  John  Stouch, 
the  first  Lutheran  preacher  of  this  congregation,  and  we  will  let 
him  speak  in  his  own  words,  as  the  account  is  given  in  his  own 
diary  : 

"In  1793,  after  spending  16  years  in  the  wilderness,  I  made 
my  journey  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Synod,  which  convened  on  the  27th  of  May, 
1793  ;  was  examined  by  that  honorable  body  and  found  worthy 
to  receive  license  as  a  catechist  for  one  year.  On  my  return  from 
synod  I  settled  in  German  township,  Fayette  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  occupied  the  glebe  and  house  belonging  to  Jacob's 
congregation.  I  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  Syn- 
od, which  convened  in  Reading,  June  i8th,  1794,  and  was  again 
examined  and  was  found  competent  to  receive  a  candidate's 
license  to  preach  the  gospel  for  one  year.  I  preached  in  Salem, 
Morgantown,  Va.,  Redstone  and  other  points  further  west,  in 
Pennsylvania  (Hoffman's  and  Indian  Creek).  These  congrega- 
tions, and  one  further  west,  were  organized  before  I  was  licensed 
to  preach.     I  had   ten   preaching  places  in  German  Lutheran 


JACOB'S    CHURCH.  89 

settlements  i6o  miles  distant,  to  which  I  traveled  every  four 
weeks.  August  13th,  1806,  I  administered  the  Lord's  Supper 
for  the  twelfth  and  last  time  in  Jacob's  Church  I  preached  to 
this  people  for  15  years  in  all.  I  resided  13  years  on  the  glebe  ; 
preached  400  times  to  this  congregation;  one  year  without  license 
from  the  synod,  one  year  as  a  catechist,  ten  years  as  a  licentiate, 
and  three  years  as  an  ordained  minister.  During  this  time  I  bap- 
tized 489  children,  and  confirmed  73  persons  to  church  member- 
ship. In  October,  1806,  I  resigned  and  removed  to  Columbiana 
county,  Ohio." 

Father  *Stouch  refers  also  to  some  remarkable  experiences 
and  to  the  opposition  he  had  to  m_et  from  the  world,  as  well  as 
from  ministers  of  the  Reformed  church.  He  begins  his  record 
in  the  Kircheiibuch  with  the  following  statement : 

"In  August,  1792,  99  members  subscribed  15^  los.,  (^68) 
for  services  once  in  three  weeks,  and  the  next  year  42  members 
subscribed  23^  ($102),  for  services  every  two  weeks." 

John  Hahn,  George  Trautman,  Peter  Waltz  (Lutheran), 
and  Marcus  Easter,  Jacob  Ef  ster  and  Michael  Fast  (Reformed), 
w^ere  his  first  church  council.  In  October,  1806,  he  resigned  and 
removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  labored  for  many  years  and  became 
well  known  for  fervent  piety,  deep  earnestness,  as  well  as  for  his 
humility  and  simplicity  of  manner. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Rebenach  was  his  successor.  Some  one  has  given 
the  name  of  Redman  as  the  successor  of  Stouch,  but  this  is  a 
mistake.  He  was  not  a  Lutheran  pastor  in  the  line  of  succes- 
sion. He  may  have  been  a  pastor  there,  but,  if  so,  he  was  a 
Reformed  pastor.  As  none  of  the  ministers  between  Father 
Stouch  and  Abram  Weiils  have  left  any  record  of  their  time  of 
service,  or  of  their  ministerial  acts,  except  a  few  baptisms,  we 
cannot  say  much  about  them.  Rev.  Rebenach  continued  to  serve 
the  congregation  till  1813.  Rev.  J.  Weigand  succeeded  him, 
who  did  service  here  for  a  number  of  years,  till  1827,  and  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  Roeber. 

Tradition  lells  us  that  the  Reformed  people  had  several  min- 
isters during  this  time,  and  also,  that  Rev.  Paul  Henkel,  of  Vir- 
ginia, the  teacher  of  Rev.  Stouch,  made  missionary  journeys  into 


90  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Pennsylvania  and  ministered  to  these  people.  He  was  one  of  the 
patriarchs  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  Virginia,  and  it  was  through 
him  that  Stouch  came  into  Pennsylvania.  Rev.  John  Brown  was 
also  pastor  of  this  people  for  a  short  time.  He  A^as  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Charles  Reese,  who  spent  a  few  years  in  this  congregation. 
After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Reese,  in  1842,  the  congrega- 
tion was  vacant  for  some  time  and  trouble  arose  in  making  ar- 
rangements for  supplies,  or  in  getting  a  permanent  pastor.  The 
Lutheran  congregation  had  increased  and  the  Reformed  had  grad- 
ually died  out.  A  meeting  was  called  on  October  2,  1842,  when 
it  was  found  that  the  Reformed  part  of  the  council  had  been  re- 
duced to  one  member,  Mr.  Jacob  Dieffenbach,  who,  on  behalf  of 
the  Reformed  congregation,  relinquished  all  claim  to  the  farm, 
etc.,  to  the  Lutheran  congregation,  to  be  used  for  the  support  of 
the  minister,  but  it  was  provided  that  the  Reformed  still  have  the 
right  to  build  up  a  congregation,  if  able  to  do  so,  and  should  be 
entitled  to  their  interest  in  the  church. 

On  the  1 8th  of  November,  1843,  at  a  congregational  meeting, 
a  resolution  was  passed  to  petition  the  Court  of  Fayette  county 
to  grant  a  charter  to  Jacob's  Church.  At  the  February  Term  of 
Court,  1844,  a  charter  was  granted,  and  was  afterwards  adopted 
by  the  congregation.  The  first  election  was  held  under  the  new 
charter,  July  i,  1844.  One  elder  and  one  deacon  were  elected. 
The  congregation  was  now  vacant,  but  was  occasionally  supplied 
by  Rev.  Abram  Weills. 

On  December  22,  1845,  a  congregational  meeting  was  called 
to  consider  the  propriety  of  building  a  new  church,  and  after  due 
deliberation  upon  the  need  of  a  new  church,  it  was  unanimously 
resolved  thac  steps  be  taken  at  once  to  build  a  church.  This 
church  was  begun  in  the  autumn  of  1845,  and  was  completed  and 
dedicated  in  the  summer  of  1846,  as  the  minutes  of  synod  show. 
It  was  a  brick  building,  42x50  feet,  plain  in  its  architecture,  and 
cost  $1,277.  But  this  amount  does  not  represent  its  full  cost. 
Much  was  saved  by  work  done  and  not  accounted  for.  Dollars 
were  highly  prized  then  and  were  saved  when  it  was  possible. 
One  dollar  went  very  far  then.  Four  dollars  paid  the  sexton's 
salary  for  one  year. 


JACOB'S   CHURCH.  9I 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  in  the  spring  of  1847,  at 
which  Rev.  Abram  Weills  presided,  who  was  then  temporary 
pastor,  he  was  elected  regular  pastor  at  a  salary  of  $175  a  year 
for  part  of  his  time.  He  continued  to  minister  regularly  to  this 
congregation,  in  connection  with  several  others,  till  1852,  when 
he  resigned,  and  Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn  became  his  successor. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Melhorn,  who  devoted  most  of 
his  time  and  energy  to  this  church,  encouraging  progress  was 
made.  A  parsonage  was  built,  to  which  the  pastor  was  the  most 
liberal  contributor,  and  on  which  the  congregation  gave  him  a 
lease  for  a  number  of  years  to  cover  his  claim  against  it.  Soon 
after  he  was  installed  pastor  in  this  parish  he  began  to  hold  ser- 
vices in  Springhill  township,  and  in  1853  a  provisional  organiza- 
tion was  formed,  and  the  council  of  Jacob's  Church  endorsed  his 
plan  to  build  a  church  in  Springhill  township. 

Messrs.  Michael  Crow,  Thos.  Morrow  and  Conrad  S.  Emery 
were  appointed  as  a  building  committee  for  the  contemplated 
Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  John's  church.  Through  the  perse- 
vering energy  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  Melhorn,  the  church  was  built 
and  dedicated  in  1854,  but  there  rested  a  debt  on  the  building  tor 
which  the  council  of  Jacob's  Church  became  responsible,  which 
was,  however,  provided  for  during  the  next  year  and  all  paid,  a 
fact  due  largely  to  the  earnest  work  of  the  pastor,  assisted  by 
the  building  committee  and  trustees. 

In  June,  1854,  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  a  new  con- 
stitution was  adopted,  which  established  Jacob's  Church  as  a 
truly  and  purely  Lutheran  church.  The  action  taken  is  as 
follows  : 

"Whereas,  The  German  Reformed  congregation  in  this 
vicinity  is  extinct,  and,  therefore,  cannot  be  an  integral  part  of 
the  congregation  worshiping  in  Jacob's  Church,  and 

Whereas,  We,  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation, 
desire  to  increase  our  church  officers,  and  make  a  few  other 
changes  in  miner  matters,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  said  Evangelical  Lutheran  congre- 
gation of  Jacob's  Church,  adopt  the  following  formula  for  our 
government." 


92  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Then  follows  the  constitution,  the  first  article  of  which  de- 
clares that  the  minister  shall  conduct  his  preaching  and  teaching 
according  to  the  Augsburg  Confession  and   Luther's   Catechism. 

Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn  did  Jacob's  Church  a  good  service  in  se- 
curing the'adoption  ot  this  new  constitution,  which  places  the  con- 
gregation on  a  Lutheran  basis.  He  ministered  here  for  a  term  of  13 
years.  He  preached  over  2,000  sermons;  received  175  members 
into  the  communion  of  the  church,  baptized  60  children,  con- 
ducted 74  funerals,  and  every  year  traveled  5,000  miles  to  do  his 
work,  and  most  of  this  travel  was  on  horseback.  In  June,  1865, 
he  resigned  this  church  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Freeport 
parish. 

For  one  year  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Melhorn  Jacob's 
Church  was  supplied  by  Revs.  H.  W.  Roth,  J.  G.  Goettman  and 
W.  O.  Wilson.  In  July,  1866,  Rev.  Henry  Acker,  of  Ohio,  was 
called,  who  was  pastor  of  Fayette  county  parish  for  seven  years. 
Under  his  ministry  the  parsonage  was  enlarged  at  a  cost  of  sev- 
eral hundred  dollars.  He  performed  the  usual  routine  duties  that 
belong  to  a  Christian  pastor  with  all  fidelity,  and  made  a  good 
record.  On  the  27th  of  December,  T872,  he  resigned  this  church 
and  took  charge  of  a  field  in  the  Synod  of  Northern  Ilhnois. 
On  the  28th  of  May,  1873,  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  was 
elected  to  become  his  successor.  He  entered  on  his  work  imme- 
diately after  he  was  called. 

In  1874  an  important  and  desirable  change  was  made  in  the 
administration  of  the  Sunday  School  of  Jacob's  Church,  when 
Lutheran  ofiicers  were  elected.  You  ask,  perhaps,  why  would 
they  elect  any  other?  We  don't  know  !  We  think  no  one  will 
make  that  mistake  more  than  once.  We  believe  in  Lutheran 
teachers  and  Lutheran  officers  for  Lutheran  Sunday  Schools,  just 
as  much  as  we  believe  in  Lutheran  ministers  for  Lutheran  pulpits. 
Dr.  Wilson  thanks  those  to-day  who  made  it  possible  for  him  to 
unload  a  burden  and  start  his  Sunday  School  on  a  proper  path, 
and  with  true  Lutheran  equipments.  At  a  meeting  in  the  church 
on  October  8,  1878,  the  plan  and  location  of  the  new  cemetery 
were  considered,  and  the  following  named  committee  appointed, 
to  vVf^r"!  ♦he  whole  nmtterwas  referred,  with  power  to  act :  Rev. 


JACOB'S   CHURCH.  93 

W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  John  D.  Kaufman,  John  Emery,  John  Hon- 
secker  and  Jacob  Newcomer.  Ten  acres  adjoining  the  church  lot 
and  the  old  graveyard,  were  selected  as  the  location,  and  ordered 
to  be  surveyed  and  laid  out  in  lots,  which  were  sold  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  at  a  nominal  price. 

An  amendment  was  secured  to  the  charter  of  the  congrega- 
tion from  the  court  of  Fayette  county,  authorizing  the  erection 
and  management  of  a  cemetery  under  its  care.  A  board  of  offi- 
cers was  elected  and  a  plan  of  administration  worked  out  and  put 
into  operation  in  a  very  short  time.  On  October  2,  1879,  the 
cemeterj^  was  dedicated  to  its  intended  use,  with  appropriate  ser- 
vices. Revs.  J.  D.  Roth,  of  Scenery  Hill,  find  W.  F.  Ulery,  of 
Greensburg,  made  addresses  suitable  to  the  occasion,  and  Rev.  W. 
O.  Wilson,  D.  D. ,  the  pastor,  performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church  council,  after  the  usual  routine 
business  was  disposed  of,  the  pastor  presented  a  plan  tor  remod- 
eling and  enlarging  the  old  church,  which  was  greatly  in  need  of 
repairs,  and  making  it  as  good  as  a  new  church,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000 
to  $2,500.  After  the  plan  had  been  fully  discussed,  and  the  ar- 
guments for  and  against  considered,  the  pastor's  plan  was  adopted, 
and  on  the  22nd  of  April,  1880,  a  resolution  was  passed  by  the 
congregation  to  remodel  and  enlarge  the  church,  and  John  Pound- 
stone,  John  D.  Kaufman,  Joseph  Riffle,  Jacob  Fast  and  the  pas- 
tor, were  appointed  a  building  committee.  This  committee 
appointed  solicitors,  and  as  soon  as  a  specified  amount  was  se- 
cured the  work  began.  Materials  were  purchased  and  contracts 
let.  Miss  Elizabeth  Kaufman,  of  blessed  memory,  gave  $500, 
which  was  the  beginning  of  the  building  fund,  and  a  number  of 
the  leading  members  made  liberal  subscriptions.  There  were 
gifts  from  friends,  not  members  of  the  congregation,  which  were 
quite  encouraging.  One  lady  donated  a  walnut  pulpit.  Several 
gentlemen  donated  windows.  So  the  work  progressed  rapidly, 
and  the  church  was  finished  by  the  close  of  1881,  and  on  the  20th 
of  January,  1882,  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Rev. 
J.  D.  Roth  preached  the  sermon  of  dedication,  and  the  pastor 
performed  the  act  of  consecration.  The  church  is  a  neat  brick 
building,  42x65  feet   in  size,  tastefully  and  neatly   finished  and 


94  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

furnished.     The  entire    cost    of    the  improvements  was  a  Httle 
over  $2,500. 

Rev.  Wilson  ministered  eleven  years  to  this  congregation, 
and  preached  about  1,200  sermons,  conducted  many  funerals, 
added  157  members  to  the  congregation,  and  performed  some  30 
infant  baptisms,  and  when  he  resigned  in  May,  1885,  his  resig- 
nation was  reluctantly  accepted.  Rev.  J.  Nichols,  a  student 
from  the  Seminary  of  Philadelphia,  became  his  successor  for 
one  year. 

In  August,  \866,  Rev.  J.  H.  Ritter  was  called.  He  served 
the  congregation  with  a  good  degree  of  acceptance,  but  under 
bis  ministry  St.  John's  was  separated  from  Jacob's  Church.  In 
1888  Rev.  Ritter  resigned  and  Rev.  G.  O.  Gross  was  called  as 
his  successor,  and  was  pastor  of  this  church  till  1891.  He  con- 
firmed six  persons,  baptized  a  number  of  children,  and  reported 
a  membership  of  145  in  189 1. 

On  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Gross,  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord  was 
called.  He  was  installed  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Ritter  on  the  31st  of 
October,  1891,  and  entered  on  his  work  with  enthusiasm  and  did 
good  work,  but  served  the  congregation  only  a  short  time.  A  mis. 
understanding  arose  between  him  and  the  council  and  he  resigned. 

In  April,  1894,  Rev.  Samuel  Stauffer  was  called  and  was  in- 
stalled on  the  8th  of  July,  1894,  by  Revs.  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D., 
and  A.  Ramsey.  He  is  the  present  pastor.  He  has  added  a 
number  of  personst  o  the  congregation,  but  the  losses  by  death  and 
removal  have  been  greater  than  the  gains.  The  last  parochial 
report  gives  the  membership  as  128.  During  this  pastorate,  as 
heretofore,  the  Word  has  been  regularly  and  faithfully  preached, 
and  the  Holy  Sacraments  administered.  The  parsonage  has  been 
enlarged  and  greatly  improved,  at  an  expense  of  some  $1,200. 
It  is  now  a  neat  and  comfortable  home  for  the  pastor,  and  a  credit 
to  the  congregation.  Much  credit  is  due  to  the  present  pastor 
for  this  valuable  improvement. 

The  history  of  Jacob's  Church  is  the  same  as  the  history  of 
many  of  our  old  churches  in  the  rural  districts.  They  gradually 
decline,  and  it  is  a  struggle  to  keep  some  of  them  alive.  The 
fathers  and  mothers  pass    away,   and   many  of  the  sons     and 


JACOB'S    CHURCH.  95 

daughters  remove  to  other  places,  generally  to  the  towns  and 
cities,  for  the  tendency  now  is  to  gravitate  to  the  cities  and 
towns.  But  there  is  one  consolation  to  the  old  mother  church  ; 
that  she  has  been  helpful  to  not  a  few  other  congregations.  St. 
John's  is  a  daughter  of  this  church  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
St.  Paul's,  Uniontown,  has  also  quite  a  number  of  her  children, 
and  the  same  Is  true  of  other  congregations.  Jacob's  Church  is 
now  over  125  years  old.  The  membership  has  never  been  nu- 
merically large,  not  over  150  to  175  effective  members.  The 
highest  number  reported  is  205.  Since  its  organization  over 
I,, ^00  children  have  beed  baptized  ;  over  500  persons  have  been 
contirmed,  and  many  received  by  letters  of  transfer.  Hundreds 
have  been  dismissed  and  a  great  multitude  laid  away  in  the  God's 
acre  to  await  the  resurrection  of  the  great  day. 

This  church  stands  on  classic  ground,  and  is  a  central  church 
which  must  be  preserved;  but  what  is  true  of  the  church  is  espec- 
ially true  of  the  cemetery.  Including  the  old  part,  this  is  a  very 
old  burying  ground.  Many  graves  are  over  100  years  old.  We 
noted  a  few  that  were  105  to  118  years  old,  and  it  is  claimed  that 
there  is  one  that  is  140  years  old. 

The  church  farm  contains  120  acres.  It  has  been  the  pos- 
session of  the  congregation  over  120  years,  but  it  was  not  pat- 
ented until  1795.  In  the  100  years  of  the  history  of  Jacob's 
Church,  since  Rev.  John  Stouch  took  charge,  there  have  been,  so 
far  as  we  know,  fifteen  pastors,  including  the  present  one,  Rev. 
Samuel  Stouffer.  Rev.  Stouch  served  the  congregation  fifteen 
years,  longer  than  than  any  one  has  done  since.  Rev.  J.  K. 
Melhorn  served  the  parish  for  thirteen  years,  and  Rev.  W.  O. 
Wilson,  D.  D. ,  eleven  years.  The  time  of  service  of  some  of  the 
pastors  is  nol:  definitely  known,  as  they  have  left  no  record. 
Father  Stouch  made  the  first  records;  but  his  sticcessors,  until 
Rev.  Melhorn,  have  left  no  records  of  their  ministerial  acts,  ex- 
cept a  few  baptisms.  Revs.  Melhorn  and  Wilson  have  made  a 
creditable  record.  They  have  left  their  mark  on  the  congrega- 
tion and  recorded  its  important  acts  in  its  records,  for  which 
posterity  will  thank  them.  This  is  what  every  pastor  ought  to 
do,  or  see  that  it   is  don2.     But,  we   are  sorry  to  say,  that  the 


96  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

fewest  number  of  our  ministers  do  this.  The  manner  in  which 
many  of  the  records,  which  we  have  examined,  have  been  kept 
is  a  shame  and  disgrace  to  the  church  council  and  pastor  of  the 
congregation.  They  are  absolutely  not  kept  at  all.  This  neglect 
is  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  future  church.  Some  one  ought  to 
go  around  among  our  churches  and  teach  the  councils  and  pastors 
how  to  keep  church  records,  and  see  that  it  is  done.  If  this 
were  done  we  would  have  reliable  parochial  reports.  Our  church 
law  makes  this  a  part  of  the  pastor's  work. 

List  of  pastors:  Rev.  John  Stouch,  1761-1806;  Rev.  J.  M. 
Rebenach,  1806-1813 ;  Rev.  J.  Wegand,  1814-1827;  Rev.  J. 
Roeber,  1 828-1 837;  Rev.  John  Brown,  1 838-1 840;  Rev.  Chas. 
Reese,  1 840-1 842  ;  a  vacancy  ;  Rev.  Abram  Weills,  1 844-1 852  ; 
Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn,  1852-1865;  a  vacancy  of  one  year;  Rev. 
Henry  Acker,  1866-1&73;  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  1873-1885; 
Rev.  John  Nichols,  1 885- 1 886;  Rev.  J.  H.  Ritter,  1886-1887  ; 
Rev.  G.  O.  Gross,  1888-1891  ;  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord,  1891-1894 ; 
Rev.  Samuel  Stoulfer,  1894,  to  present  time. 

Present  Church  Council :  Jacob  Fast,  John  O.  Kaufman, 
Daniel  R.  Kaufman,  John  Emery,  and  Daniel  Hostetler,  elders; 
Jacob  Kaufman,  William  Moser,  Samuel  Fast,  and  S.  E.  Keener, 
deacons,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer,  pastor. 


V.    EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  OF  ST.  PAUL, 
MT.  PLEASANT  TWP.,  WESTMORELAND  CO. 

This  congregation  has  been  known  for  a  long  time  as  the 
"Ridge  Church,"  being  located  at  the  foot  hills  of  Chestnut 
Ridge.  Next  to  Brush  Creek  and  Harrolds,  it  is  the  oldest  con- 
gregation in  Westmoreland  county.  It  may  be  as  old  as  Brush 
Creek,  but  Harrold's  is  older.  It  dates  back  115  years,  if  our 
information  is  correct.  There  are  no  records  in  possession  of  the 
congregation  now  showing  the  date  of  the  organization,  but  we 


ST.    PAUL   OR    RIDGE   CHURCH.  97 

know,  from  several  sources,  that  this  is  a  ver>'  old  community, 
and  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  congregation  was  organ- 
ized soon  after  the  settlement  was  made,  a  belief  which  is  in 
accord  with  the  uniform  rule  of  the  fathers  of  our  lyUtheran 
church,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Reformed. 

We  have  learned  from  several  old  members  of  this  church 
the  story  of  their  ancestry — how  their  fathers  came  to  this  sec- 
tion of  country  from  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  especially  from 
Northhampton  county,  others  from  Germany,  and  settled  along 
the  Chestnut  Ridge,  in  what  is  now  Mt.  Pleasant  township,  while 
the  Indians  were  still  here.  We  are  told  how  these  settlers 
were  in  daily  fear  of  their  lives  lest  they  might  be  attacked  by 
the  savages.  Forts  were  built  and  block  houses  erected  for  their 
protection. 

Father  Armel  tells  us  how  his  grandmother  Armel  used  to  do 
her  housework,  milk  the  cows  and  attend  to  the  most  necessary 
outdoor  work,  and  then  return  to  the  block  house  with  her 
children  for  safety.  His  grandfather  used  to  tell  how  he  strug- 
gled with  the  wild  men  of  the  forest ;  how  many  battles  he  had 
with  them,  and  how  many  escapes  he  made.  One  night  when  he 
was  alone  in  his  house  it  was  surrounded  by  a  horde  of  Indians, 
who  had  doubtless  come  to  murder  him  and  his  family,  but  he 
kept  up  such  a  noise  and  demonstration  that  he  impressed  the 
savages  that  there  was  a  strong  band  of  men  within,  hence 
they  soon  dispersed  and  left  him  in  peace. 

Mr,  Armel  built  a  mill  in  Armel  Hollow,  two  miles  east  of 
Lycippus,  the  first  mill  built  within  many  miles.  His  farm  was 
situate  one  mile  east  of  Pleasant  Unity. 

Several  forts  were  built  within  a  radius  of  a  mile  and  a  half 
of  Pleasant  Unity.  One  of  these  was  on  the  Pollins  farm,  one 
mile  northwest  of  the  church  ;  another  near  Pleasant  Unity,  on 
the  Poorman  farm,  now  owned  by  Mr.  Graham.  Dr.  Brinker  of 
Pleasant  Unity,  told  us  that  his  grandmother,  Mary  Brinker, 
often  had  to  take  refuge  in  the  fort  with  her  children,  leaving 
everything  else  behind  her. 

These  reminiscences  prove  that  there  was  an  early  settle- 
ment here,  and  we  know  that  many  of  these  people  were  Ger- 


98  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

mans,  belonging  to  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches.  We 
have  evidence,  also,  that  these  early  settlers  made  earnest  efforts 
to  provide  for  religious  services.  They  built  a  church  and 
school  house  just  as  soon  as  circumstances  permitted,  and 
they  were  not  negligent  in  making  use  of  them.  Though  they 
had  to  take  risk  of  life  in  going  from  their  homes  to  the  church, 
still  they  went,  generally  with  gun  in  hand,  and  often  worship- 
ped under  guard. 

The  first  church  was  built  on  the  farm  of  Casper  Weaver 
(now  owned  by  Haberlin),  one  and  a  half  miles  east  of  St.  Paul's 
church.  It  was  no  doubt  built  about  the  year  1782,  for  it  was  in 
existence  when  Rev.  J.  W.  Weber  came,  which  was  in  1783,  and 
was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  for  a  number  of  years  before  it  was 
finished.  It  was  a  plain  log  structure,  like  the  others  that  have 
been  described  in  this  history,  and  most  primitive  in  all  its  appoint- 
ments. As  in  the  other  cases,  it  was  used  both  as  a  school  house 
and  a  church. 

Some  time  in  1790  a  desire  was  expressed  by  a  few  people 
for  better  church  accommodations,  and  for  a  permanent  location 
for  a  church  and  graveyard.  Three  locations  were  proposed  : 
the  old  site  where  the  old  log  church  stood ,  one  on  the  PoUins 
farm  west  of  the  present  church,  nd  the  present  site.  This  se- 
lection was,  therefore,  a  compromise,  as  it  was  considered  more 
central.  The  land  was  owned  by  Henry  Clever,  adjoining  lands 
of  John  Spielman,  John  Griffin  and  others.  The  deed  was  made 
to  Matthias  Ringle,  Christian  Lobingier.  Jacob  Christman  and 
Rudy  Baer,  trustees,  in  trust  for  St.  Paul's  church,  on  the  6th  of 
June,  1 796,  for  three  and  a  half  acres  of  land,  for  the  consideration 
of  5;i^,  17s,  6d.  In  1833  the  trustees  made  an  exchange  of  205 
perches  of  land  with  Michael  Fry  and  Regina  his  wife,  for  the 
same  number  of  perches,  in  order  to  straighten  their  lines  and 
get  their  plot  of  land  in  better  shape. 

The  second  church  was  built  on  the  present  location.  It 
stood  a  few  rods  north  of  the  present  church,  on  the  edge  of  the 
old  cemetery.  It  was  an  improvement  on  the  first  church  both 
in  its  architecture,  and  appointments.  It  was  of  hewn  logs, 
more  carefully  built,  better  finished  and  furnished,  yet   it   was 


ST.    PATJL   OR    RIDGE   CHURCH.  99 

plain  like  all  the  church  buildings  of  that  day.  It  was  two- 
story  with  a  gallery  on  three  sides,  and  a  high  pulpit.  Later 
it  was  repaired  and  improvements  were  made.  An  oak  board 
floor  took  the  place  of  the  one  of  split  logs,  new  seats,  windows, 
and  a  door  %vere  put  in.  Henry  Marks,  an  old  member  of  the 
congregation,  has  a  distinct  recollection  of  the  old  church,  and  can 
describe  it  in  all  its  appointments  with  minuteness.  He  and  father 
Arm  el  are  among  those  who  attended  services  in  this  church. 

The  pastors  of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations 
held  serAdces  alternatelj',  each  once  a  month.  The  people 
then  generally  made  little  of  denominational  differences,  but 
attended  the  services  of  one  as  much  as  the  other. 

It  has  been  stated  by  Dr.  Harbaugh  in  his  history  of  the 
"Early  Fathers  of  the  Reformed  church,"  that  there  was  a 
congregation  in  Mt.  Pleasant  township,  as  early  as  1783,  when 
Rev.  J.  W.  Weber,  came  to  Westmoreland  county,  and  it  formed 
a  part  of  his  parish.  If  there  was  a  Reformed  congregation  here 
then,  we  believe  that  there  was  a  Lutheran  congregation  here 
also,  for  this  was  the  universal  rule  in  that  day.  They  were 
never  seperated  in  any  organization  that  has  come  under  our 
notice.  The  members  of  the  two  churches  seemed  to  think  that 
they  must  take  caie  of  each  other.  They  had  been  educated  to 
this  union  organization  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  it  seemed  as 
natural  for  these  two  denominations  to  unite  in  church  organiza- 
tion, as  it  is  for  the  two  sexes  to  join  together  in  the  bonds  of 
marriage. 

There  are  two  classes  of  union  churches.  In  one  class  each 
congregation  has  its  own  distinct  organization,  its  own  church 
council  and  pastor,  as  well  as  the  general  management  of  all  its 
affairs.  The  congregations  have  simplj^  united  in  the  purchase 
of  property  and  the  building  of  a  church,  which  they  hold,  con- 
trol and  use  jointly,  each  paying  its  share  of  the  purchase 
money,  the  building  fund  and  the  necessary  repairs.  To  this 
class  belonged  the  First  church  of  Greensburg,  this  St.  Paul's 
church,  and  most  of  the  churches  that  were  organized  during 
Father  John  M.  Steck's  ministry.  In  the  other  class  there  is 
practically    only    one     organization    and     one    administration ; 


lOO  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

for  there  is  only  one  council  composed  of  L-utheran  and  Re 
formed  members,  and  one  common  treasury.  The  property 
is  purchased,  held  and  used  jointly  without  holding  each 
congregation  for  a  specified  amount.  Of  this  class  was  Jacob's 
church,  in  Fayette  county,  Good  Hope,  Indian  Head,  and  others. 
Yet  in  this  case  the  denominational  idea  is  still  kept  up 
and  certain  rights  are  guaranteed  to  the  members  of  each  con- 
gregation, such  as  voting  for  a  pastor  and  electing  church 
council.  In  the  first  class,  as  was  the  custom  for  many  years  in 
most  of  the  churches  of  Westmoreland  county,  there  is  one  com- 
mon treasury  for  all  general  purposes,  and  the  deacons  of 
each  denomination  look  after  their  own  pastor's  salary.  We 
know  this  was  the  case  in  this  congregation  during  the  early 
years  of  its  history,  and  this  arrangement  was  only  discontinued 
after  the  Reformed  people  organized  a  congregation  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Pleasant  Unity 

It  is  an  occasion  of  much  regret  that  the  early  records  of 
of  St.  Paul's  church  have  been  lost.  Some  provost  marshal  or 
deputy,  during  the  Civil  War,  carried  off  the  book  to  ascertain 
who  among  those  whose  birth  and  baptism  were  recorded  there- 
in were  liable  to  military  duty.  It  evidently  fell  into  the 
hands  of  some  one  who  did  not  know  the  value  of  its  records, 
and  hence  it  was  laid  away,  perhaps  among  some  old  rubbish,  or 
destroyed  as  so  much  waste  paper.  It  is  strange  that  the 
council  and  pastor  of  the  church  did  not  look  after  it  and  see 
that  it  was  returned  and  properly  taken  care  of.  This,  however, 
was  not  done,  and  now  we  realize  how  unfortunate  the  neglect. 
The  pastor  and  council  of  every  congregation  ought  to  keep, 
and  carefully  preserve  the  records. 

The  first  Sunday  school  of  this  Ridge  church  was  organized 
sixty  years  ago  in  an  upstairs  room  of  a  distiller)^  on  the  farm 
of  William  Fisher,  where  it  was  held  for  some  time.  It  was 
later  removed  to  the  church.  A  good  Sunday  school  was  con- 
ducted in  this  church  for  many  years,  but  was  held  only 
during  the  summer.  In  1875  an  attempt  was  made  on  the  part 
of  the  Lutherans  to  organize  a  Lutheran  Sunday  school,  and  the 
following  year  the  Reformed   people  did  the  same.     Since  then 


ST.  PAUL  OR  RIDGE  CHURCH.  lOI 

the  two  congregations  have  generally  conducted  each  their  own 
Sunday  school.  The  Lutheran  congregation  is  now  carrying  on 
a  good  Sunday  school,  organized  as  far  as  practicable  on  the  plan 
of  the  graded    lessons  recommended  by  our  General  Council. 

This  congregation  has  had  nine  pastors,  the  first  of  whom 
was  the  Rev.  Anthony  Ulrich  Luetge  who  lived  in  the  Zion 
settlement,  preached  at  Harrold's,  Brush  Creek,  Greensburg  and 
other  points  in  Westmoreland  county.  Like  most  ministers  of 
that  early  day  he  was  a  missionary  rather  than  a  settled  pastor. 
He  was  associated  in  his  work  with  Rev.  Weber  of  {the  Reformed 
church  at  a  number  of  places.  No  doubt  he  gave  proper  form 
to  the  organization  already  in  existence  here  and  ministered  to 
the  people  with  some  degiee  of  regularity,  though  not  frequent- 
ly. The  fact  that  the  church  was  built  and  was  used  for  re- 
ligious services  is  evidence  that  an  organization  of  some  kind 
existed.  Luetge  served  this  congregation  perhaps  about  eight 
years,  when  he  resigned  on  account  of  tailing  health  and  re- 
turned to  Ithe  eastern  part  of  the  state.  In  1792  Rev.  John  M. 
Steck  succeeded  him  in  thig  field  and  continued  in  this  congre- 
gation until  1826,  when  he  resigned  in  favor  of  Rev.  Jonas 
Mechling. 

During  the  years  that  Rev.  J,  M.  Steck  had  charge  the  in- 
crease and  growth  of  the  church  in  this  section  of  the  county 
was  slow.  There  could  not,  in  the  nature  of  things,  be  a  rapid 
increase.  The  country  was  yet  thinly  settled  and  the  services 
were  held  at  long  intervals.  It  was  not  possible  for  those  oM 
ministers  to  hold  frequent  services,  for  their  fields  were  too  large. 
We  think  once  a  month  a  poor  supply  now  ;  but  in  that  day 
many  places  were  glad  to  have  a  missionary  come  once  in  two 
or  three  months. 

In  1827  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  became  the  regular  pastor  of 
this  church,  though  he  had  no  doubt  rendered  service  here  before 
that  time.  He  served  that  congregation  in  connection  with  St. 
John's,  Zion,  St.  Paul's,  Youngstown  and  the  churches  in  the 
Ligonier  Valley  for  nearly  thirty  years,  and  he  continued  to  be 
nominally  the  pastor  of  this  congregation  for  six  or  seven  years 
after  he  took   charge  of  the  Greensburg  parish.     As  the  congre- 


I02  CONFEREXCE   HISTORY. 

gation  increased  and  the  people  became  more  able,  there  was  a 
desire  awakened  in  the  hearts  of  many  of  the  members  for  better 
church  accommodations. 

In  1845,  the  question  of  a  new  church  was  raised  inasmuch 
as  the  old  church  no  longer  satisfied  the  needs  of  the   congrega- 
tion, and  early   in    1846   a  move  was  made  to  build  a  church. 
A  plan  was  secured,  subscriptions  solicited  and  a  joint  committee 
of  the  two  congregations  appointed,    consisting  of   the  following 
named  persons  :  Christopher  Lobingier,  Abraham  Rumbaugh,  on 
the  part  of  the  Lutherans,  and  William  Fisher  and  Jacob  Christ- 
man,  on   part  of  the   Reformed.     The  work   was  pushed   vigor- 
ously forward  and  on  the    17th,  of  June   1846,  the  corner   stone 
of  a  new  brick  church   was  laid  with   appropriate  services,   con- 
ducted by  the  pastors   of   the  two  congregations,  Revs.  J.  Mech- 
ling  and  N,  P.  Hacke.     On   the  same   day  that  the  corner  stone 
was  laid  an  article  of  agreement  was    adopted  at  a  joint   meeting 
of  the  two  congregations,  which  was  intended  to  be  the  organic 
law  of  St.  Paul's  churc'h.     It  sets  forth  certain   rules  which  are 
to  regulate  the   ministers  and  church  council  in  the   administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  the  church.     It  declares  that  the  title  of  the 
church  shall  be  vested  in  the   congregations,  jointly,  and  states 
how  the  church   council  shall  be  elected   and  perpetuated,    and 
how  the   two  congregations   shall  be   controlled  as  long  as  they 
worship  in  the  same   house.     It  gives  a  number  of  other   direc- 
tions that   may  be  very   useful,    as  well  as  necessary,  in  a  union 
church.     The  church   was  completed   during  the  year  1846   and 
was  dedicated   to   the   worship  of  God    in  the   autumn,  by   the 
pastors,  Mechling   and  Hacke.     It  is  44x65  feet  in  size,    neatly 
built  and  cost  about  $5,000.     It  is  a  one  story  brick,    differing 
very  much  in  its   architecture  from  most  of  the  churches  of  this 
(jounty   at  that  time.     It  was   the  best  church   of  its  day  in   the 
rural  districts  of  our  county.     It  has  stood  fifty-five   y»ars,  and 
will  no   doubt  have  to  be   replaced  by  a  new  church  very   soon. 
After  Rev.  Jonas    Mechling   became   pastor  of  the  Greens- 
burS  parish,    St.    Paul's  church   was  practically  vacant,  for  he 
could  render  only    occasional   services  here.     The  congregation 
suffered  much  loss  by  this  vacancy  of  six  or  seven  years,   which 


ST.  PAUL    OR  RIDGE   CHURCH.  I03 

it  took  years  to  repair.  In  June  1855,  Rev.  I.  O.  P.  Baker,  of 
the  Theological  Seminary,  Columbus,  O.,  was  called,  and  he 
became  the  regular  pastor  of  this  congregation,  in  connection 
with  St.  John's  and  Zion's,  in  the  following  September  after  his 
ordination.  He  ministered  to  these  congregations  for  seven  years. 
His  services  were  acceptable  and  his  work  was  successful,  but 
he  was  taken  away  by  death  at  the  very  threshold  of  his  use- 
fulness. We  knew  Brother  Baker  in  his  work,  as  well  as  in  his 
personal  character  and  history.  We  were  intimately  associated 
with  him  and  worked  side  by  side  with  him.  He  was  earnest 
and  faithful  and  added  quite  a  goodly  number  to  the  membership 
of  the  congregation,  and  baptized  some  60  children.  His  first 
communion  numbered  70.  His  last  communion  115.  In  Dec- 
ember, 1862,  he  was  suddenly  called  from  his  work  here  to  his 
reward.  After  a  few  months  of  a  vacancy  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby 
wa-s  called  as  the  successor  to  the  lamented  Baker.  He  was  in- 
stalled pastor  in  the  spring  of  1 863  and  served  this  congregation 
until  1869.  He  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  and  from 
what  appears  in  the  record,  he  left  the  congregation  just  about 
as  he  found  it.  He  kept  it  up  to  the  point  to  which  Brother 
Baker  had  brought  it.  He  was  succeeded,  in  1869,  by  Rev. 
Enoch  Smith,  who  was  only  in  the  parish  long  enough  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  field,  when  he  resigned  this  church 
and  accepted  a  call  to  the  Greensburg  parish. 

In  1873  Rev.  S.  L.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  was  called  and  installed 
as  his  successor.  He  served  this  congregation,  in  connection 
with  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish.  He  was  esteemed  as  a  preacher 
and  a  pastor  and  has  left  his  mark.  The  older  members  retain 
this  high  esteem  yet  to-day.  They  gave  him  up  with  regret 
when  he  resigned.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  nearly  nine 
years  and  added  many  members  to  the  congregation.  When  he 
resigned,  in  1882,  it  had  a  communicant  membership  of  140. 
After  his  resignation  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish  was  divided.  St. 
John's,  Zion's  and  Trinity  church  Mt.  Pleasant,  constituted  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  parish.  St.  Paul's  church  became  independent, 
and  unanimously  called  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  then  of  Delmont, 
as  its  pastor.     He  was  installed  on  the  28th,  of  April,    1883. 


I04  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

He  gave  almost  his  entire  time  and  energy  to  this  church.  He 
held  services  regularly  every  alternate  Sunday,  and  did  faithful 
pastoral  work.  A  new  interest  was  awakened  in  the  congrega- 
tion, which  grew  in  numbers  and  strength,  but  the  great  draw- 
back was  that  while  the  congregation  had  the  entire  time  and 
services  of  a  minister,  it  had  only  half  a  church.  This  is  still 
the  hindrance,  and  the  sooner  it  shall  have  been  removed  the 
better  for  theinterest  of  the  congregation. 

In  1888,  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  this 
congregation  was  incorporated  under  the  title  of  "The  Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran  Church  of  St.  Paul." 

In  1890  a  house  was  purchased  in  the  village  of  Pleasant 
Unity  as  a  pastor's  home,  costing  $1,700.  The  house  is  a  plain 
frame,  containing  six  rooms,  making  a  comfortable  home  for  the 
pastor.  It  has  been  occupied  as  a  parsonage  ever  sinca  it  was 
purchased. 

Rev.  Potts  served  this  congregation  very  acceptably  during 
his  pastorate.  In  1S96  he  resigned  and  was  called  to  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio.  He  was  pastor  here  for  13  j^ears.  He  preached 
hundreds  of  sermons  and  conducted  many  services.  His  record 
shows  that  he  baptized  352  children,  confirmed  i43  persons, 
received  a  number  by  letters  of  transfer,  solemized  68 
marriages  and  conducted  1 79  funerals.  During  his  pastorate  the 
church  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $1,000,  which  was  of  course 
paid  jointly  by  the  two  congregations.  There  was  also  a  be- 
quest made  to  the  congregation  during  his  ministry  here.  After 
his  resignation  in  the  spring  of  1896,,  the  coagregation  was  va- 
cant for  several  months,  and  was  supplied  by  Mr.  E.  M.  Potts 
a  student  in  the  Philadelphia  Seminary. 

On  the  27th  of  October,  1896,  Rev.  Jesse  Dunn  of  Indiana, 
was  called  as  his  successor,  and  was  installed  on  the  14th  March, 
1897.  t>y  Rev.  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D.  He  began  his  work  under 
some  embarrassment,  but  he  has  succeeded  in  a  large  measure  in 
uniting  the  congregation  and  getting  the  members  in  line  for 
work.  He  has  done  and  is  now  doing  a  good  work.  The  pros- 
pects of  this  congregation  are  brighter  now  than  they  have  been 
at  any  previous  time  during  his  pastorate.     He  has  added  quite 


nu-v  iKiMTV  (.  iiriicii.  Ml.  1':.i:a^an' 


TKINITY  C  HURCH,  CHEAT  HAVEN 


^ikstm^-fi^ 


ST.  I'Ari.'s  ciiri;*  u.  M(ii;<,Axri)\vx,  \v.  y\ 


ST.  JOHN'S  CHUKCH,  NEAR  .MT.   PLEASANT 


ST.    PAUL  OR   RIDGK   CHURCH.  I05 

a  number  of  members  to  the  congregation,  and  since  business  is 
prosperous  in  the  comunity ,  there  is  greater  promise  of  permanency 
in  the  congregation.  There  are  fewer  removals  than  there  were  a 
few  years  ago.  During  the  four  years  of  Rev.  Dunn's  ministry 
he  has  reported  116  infant  baptisms,  53  confirmations,  9  adult  bap- 
tisms and  quite  a  number  of  additions  by  letters  of  transfer. 
He  solemnized  25  marriages,  conducted  48  funerals,  and  now  re- 
ports 250  members,  as  over  against  170,  reported  by  Dr.  Potts, — 
a  gain  of  86.  A  move  is  now  being  made  by  this  congregation  to 
become  independent  and  build  their  own  church.  This  has 
become  a  necessity.  Already  during  all  the  time  of  Rev.  A. 
D.  Pott's  pastorate  this  was  felt  to  be  an  urgent  need,  but 
it  has  taken  all  this  while  to  convince  some  of  the  people,  who 
have  known  nothing  but  union  churches  since  they  are 
members  of  the  church,  of  this  need.  Now  the  desire  to  have  a 
church  of  their  own  has  become  so  strong  in  the  congregation, 
and  the  conviction  that  this  is  the  only  way  of  success  for  the 
church  so  deep  that  it  will  no  doubt  soon  be  realized  as  a  fact. 
We  have  found  in  our  experience  that  when  a  congregation 
once  realizes  that  it  needs  a  church  and  wants  a  church  it  will 
devise  ways  and  means  to  get  a  church. 

Two  members  of  St.  Paul's  church,  now  deceased,  John  Rum- 
baugli  and  John  Henry  Bash,  have  bequeathed  the  sum  of  $7000 
dollars  to  the  congregation, — Rumbaugh  $4000  and  Bash  $3000. 
Of  this  sum  $6000  dollars  is  to  be  permanently  invested  as  a  fund, 
the  proceeds  of  which  go  to  the  pastor's  salary.  One  thousand 
dollars  of  the  Bash  bequest  was  by  him  set  apart  to  build  a  sex- 
ton' s  house  for  the  use  of  both  congregations  so  long  as  they 
worship  in  the  same  house,  but  if  they  separate  it  will  be  for 
the  use  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  only.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  these  bequests  will  not  induce  in  any  member  lukewarmness 
cr  indclence  in  doing  or  giving  but  rather  stimulate  all  to 
greater  diligence  and  benevolence,  to  imitate  the  example 
of  the  departed  brethren. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  St.  Paul  also  has  a  new 
Cemetery  of  its  own,  which  was  established  a  few  years  ago, 
largely  through  Mr  J.  M,  Keck.      He  purchased  two  and  a  half 


I06  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

acres  of  land  from  Mr.  Henry  Beistel  and  donated  the  same  to  the 
congregation  for  a  Lutheran  cemetery,  which  was  fenced,  laid 
out  in  lots  and  sold  to  the  members  at  a  reasonable  price,  and  in 
1899  the  trustees  of  the  congregation  purchased  three  and  a 
half  acres  in  addition  and  had  the  whole  plat  of  ground  fenced  in 
one  enclosure.  The  cemetery  is  now  m  use  and  has  been  for 
several  years.  It  is  under  the  corporation  and  management  of 
the  congregation  itself. 

The  congregation  has  its  own  Sunday  School  now  and  has 
had  for  a  number  of  years,  but  having  only  half  a  church  it  can 
only  meet  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  It  now  numbers  sixty 
scholars  and  six  teachers,  and  Mr.  Charles  Hays  is  superintend- 
ent. The  school  uses  the  literature  of  the  General  Council  Pub- 
lication Board,  and  is  conducted  on  the  graded  lesson  system;  at 
present  only  Bible  Story,  Bible  Histor>'  and  Lesson  Quarterly 
are  used. 

A  Luther  League  had  been  organized  and  carried  on  for 
some  time,  but  owing  to  the  scattered  condition  of  the  congrega- 
tion, it  has  been  difficult  to  secure  such  attendance  as  to  keep 
the  interest. 

The  Church  Council  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
of  St.  Paul  is  as  follows  : 

Elders — J.  M.  Keck   and  Joseph  Aukerman. 

Deacons— L.  S.  Riggle,  George   Hoffer,  Frederic  Rktzkat 
and  Franklin  Stairs. 

Trustees— W.  F.  Fausold,  Henry  F.  Beistel  and  George 
R.  Armel,  Charles  F.  Bair,  secretary,  and  Simon  B.  Boartz, 
treasurer,  Rev.  Jesse  Dunn,  pastor,  and  ex-officio  president  of 
the  council. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  pastors  who  served  this 
congregation. 

Rev.  Athony  Ulrich  Leutge  till  1791,  Rev.  John  M.  Steck 
1791-1829;  Rev.  Jonas Mechling,  1829-1855;  Rev.  I.  O.  P.  Baker, 
1855-1862  ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby,  1863-1869;  Rev.  Enoch  Smith, 
1869-1873;  Rev.  S.  L.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  1874-1883  ;  Rev.  A.  D. 
Potts,  Ph.  D.  1883-1896;  Rev.  Jesse  Dunn,  1896  to  present  time. 


ST.  JOHN'S  OR  MANOR  CHURCH.  I07 


VI.     ST.  JOHN'S  OR  MANOR  CHURCH,    PENN   TOWN- 
SHIP, WESTMORELAND  COUNTY, 

The  Denmark- Manor  was  one  of  the  tracts  of  land  which 
was  reserved  by  the  Penns.  It  was  three  miles  long  and  two 
and  a  half  broad,  containing  4861  acres,  all  lying  in  what  is  now 
Penn  township.  It  goes  without  sa3dng  that  this  section  of  the 
country  has  derived  its  name  from  this  reservation. 

After  the  Revolutionary  war  the  Penns  were  divested  of 
the  title  of  this  land,  and  the  title  was  vested  in  the  Common- 
wealth of  Penns5dvania,  but  a  reasonable  compensation  was 
allowed  them.  Such  reservations,  with  special  privileges,  could 
not  be  allowed  in  a  free  commonwealth.  Besides,  as  the  Penns 
were  royalists,  whose  sympathies  were  with  the  Crown,  they 
could  not  expect  many  privileges  after  the  Revolution,  from 
those  whom  they  had  opposed. 

There  were  early  settlements  in  this  section  of  the  country, 
but  they  were  not  permanent.  They  were  generally  along  the  mil- 
itary road  or  near  some  military  post.  Andrew  Byerly  was  the 
first  settler  in  the  territory  now  in  Penn  township,  who  in  1859 
settled  on  Bushy  Run  near  Harrison  City,  on  land  adjoining  the 
Manor  reservation.  A  few  years  later  several  others  followed 
him,  among  whom  was  Michael  Rodabaugh,  but  they  were  all 
driven  off  their  lands  by  the  Indians,  during  the  Indian  War,  and 
were  compelled  to  take  refuge  in  the  forts  and  block  houses.  In 
th^  Spring  of  1763  there  were  fears  of  an  Indian  outbreak,  and 
on  this  account  Col.  Boquet  marched  westward  with  a  force  of 
men  along  the  Forbes  road,  in  order  to  strengthen  Fort  Pitt. 
About  the  ist  of  August,  1763,  he  left  Fort  Ligonier  on  his 
westward  march,  but  when  he  came  to  Bushy  Run  he  was  at- 
tacked by  the  Indians  in  large  numbers  in  a  fierce  and 
savage  manner.  The  first  day,  August  5th,  the  battle  was  fought 
from  noon  till  night,  and  after  spending  a  night  of  watching 
and  waiting  the  battle  was  renewed  the  next  day,  and  after  a 
severe  conflict  and  a  heavy  loss,  Col.  Boquet  dispersed  the 
savages.     He  afterwards  persued  them,  and  at  Muskingum,  O., 


I08  CONFERENCE    HISTORY, 

he  forced  them  to  make  a  treaty  of  peace.  After  the  treaty  the 
settlers  returned,  and  by  and  by  others  came.  Later  on,  following 
the  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations  at  Fort  Stanwix,  N.  Y.,  Nov. 
1786,  more  settlers  came,  for  now  the  Province  declared  all  lands 
west  of  the  Laurel  Hill  open  for  settlement. 

Between  the  years  1770  and  1776  many  imigi'ants  came 
to  this  section  of  the  country.  From  1773,  when  the  county  was 
erected,  till  1776  Hannastown  was  in  its  highest  state  of  prosperity. 

This  Manor  settlement  embraced  many  Germans,  among 
whom  were  the  Byerly's,  Berlins,  Brinkers,  Hufnagles,  LaufFers, 
Finks,  Kepples,  Kemerers,  Knappenbergers,  Neighlys,  Snyders, 
Eberhardts,  and  others.  Not  a  few  of  these  settlers  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  churches.  Some  of  them 
had  been  associated  with  the  Brush  Creek  church  for  some  time 
but  they  found  the  distance  too  great,  especially  those  living  north 
and  east  of  the  Manor  settlement.  The  beginning  here  was 
very  much  like  in  the  other  older  settlements  such  as  Har- 
rold's  and  Brush  Creek.  First  a  log  building  was  erected, 
which  served  both  as  a  school  house  and  a  place  of  worship. 
This  school  house  stood  long  after  the  brick  church  was  built, 
and  was  often  used  for  services  when  it  was  not  convenient  to 
open  the  church. 

We  do  not  know  the  exact  date  of  the  organization  of  the 
Manor     congregation,  for    the   reason   we   have     often    given 
that  no  official  records   and  early  history  of   the  congregation 
have  been  preserved,  but  we  have  evidence   that   it  existed   as 
early   as  1808. 

In  1809  the  two  congregations,  Lutheran  and  Reformed, 
made  a  move  to  build  a  church.  For  this  purpose,  a  meeting  was 
held  at  which  a  joint  building  committee  was  appointed  to 
take  steps,  looking  towards  the  building  of  a  new  church.  Paul 
Neighly,  Adam  Kemerer  and  Christian  Eberhardt  were  appoint- 
ed on  this  committee.  Jacob  Brinker  (R)  and  Michael  Fink  (L) 
were  appointed  paymasters  (Bezahlmeister)  that  is,  treasurers,  for 
the  congregations.  Then, like  now,  questionable  means  were  some- 
times used  by  the  different  denominations  to  raise  money  to 
to  build  churches. 


ST.  JOHN'S  OR  MANOR  CHURCH.  I09 

It  was  suggested  that  it  would  be  advisable  for  the  German 
people  to  do  the  same.  Having  allowed  themselves  to  be  per- 
suaded to  use  such  means  they  thought,  however,  that  they 
would  go  about  the  matter  in  a  legal  manner.  Accordingly  they 
applied  to  the  Legislature  for  the  privilege  of  holding  a  lottery 
for  the  benefit  of  the  church,  which  was  of  course  refused.  This 
decision  settled  their  minds  on  this  question.  There  is  certainly 
great  reason  for  thankfulness  for  this  result,  for  it  would  have 
been  a  scandal  and  a  lasting  stigma  on  the  good  name  of  our 
church  if  this  plan  had  been  carried  out. 

In  that  early  day  other  denominations  had  only  meeting 
houses,  without  any  churchly  character.  Our  own  churches 
were  also  often  built  without  much  architectural  style  or  church- 
ly plan.  The  venerable  fathers  themselves  lived  in  rude  log 
cabins,  and  roughly  built  houses  and  could  not  be  expected  to 
have  much  taste  or  desire  for  fine  churches,  but  they  built  after 
the  patterns  they  had  before  them.  The  first  brick  church  of  this 
congregation  was  a  two  story  building,  with  gallery  on  three 
sides,  with  wine-glass  pulpit.  It  was  38x46  feet  in  size  and 
built  on  a  good  stone  foundation.  Peter  Henkel  was  the  con- 
tractor for  the  stone  as  well  as  the  brick  work,  for  which  he  re- 
ceived $225  in  cash. 

Work  was  begun  on  the  15th  of  May,  181 1.  The  committee 
furnished  all  materials  and  also  boarding  for  the  workmen. 
The  corner  stone  was  laid,  with  appropriate  services,  on  the 
3rd  of  June,  by  the  pastors,  Revs.  J.  M,  Steck  and  J.  W. 
Weber.  The  offerings  on  the  occasion  were  $99.08.  Jacob  Dry 
was  the  contractor  for  the  carpenter  work,  as  well  as  painting, 
for  which  he  was  paid  $600.  All  materials  were  furnished  him 
by  the  committee,  as  well  as  a  dwelling  house  during  the  time 
that  he  was  engaged  in  the  work.  His  work  was  begun  on  the 
I2th  of  May,  1814,  and  was  fully  completed  on  the  7th  of  June, 
181 5,  when  the  church  was  solemnly  set  apart  to  the  worship  of 
God.  The  services  on  this  occasion  were  conducted  by  the  two 
pastors,  Revs,  Steck  and  Weber,  The  church  grounds  had  been 
owned  by  Conrad  Knappenberger  and  Jacob  Brinker,  from 
whom  two  acres  were  purchased  for  a  site   for  the  church   and  a 


no  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

buiying  ground  and,  later,  more  ground  was  secured  from  Paul 
Brinker  and  Joseph  LaufFer.  This  now  constitutes  the  Union 
Manor  cemetery. 

As  a  general  rule  the  German  churches  had  a  school 
house,  which  was  true  also  of  the  old  Manor  church.  This 
school  house  was,  of  course  intended  for  the  instruction  of  the 
children,  where  a  parish  school  was  conducted,  but  it  was  used  as 
a  place  of  worship  for  some  time  before  a  church  was  built,  and 
even  after  the  church  was  built,  for  the  church  was  not  furnished 
with  heating  for  some  years  after  it  was  completed.  This  made 
it  necessarj'  on  not  a  few  occasions  to  hold  the  services  in  the 
school  house.  Each  congregation  generally  had  a  school  master 
who,  in  the  absence  of  a  pastor,  conducted  services.  Andrew 
Almose  was  in  charge  of  this  school  in  1819,  when  Rev.  Nich- 
olas P.  Hacke  became  pastor  of  the  Reformed  congregation. 
Mr.  John  Steck  succeeded  him  and  serv-ed  for  man}"  5'ears. 
Dr.  Kacke  in  his  diarj'  gives  a  quaint  description  of  this  .school 
house, "which,"  he  says, "was  often  used  as  a  church,  and  was  in 
very  deed  a  sheep  fold.  In  severe  winter  weather  public  ser^-ices 
were  held  in  the  old  school  house  because  the  church  was  not 
heated.  During  the  time  v^-hen  there  was  no  school  it  was  a  con- 
venient retreat  for  th^  neighbors'  sheep  which  found  shelter 
there.  The  windows  furnished  insufficient  light,  and  the  old 
benches  would  sometimes,  when  heavily  loaded,  break  down  in 
the  midst  of  the  solemn  services,  causing  the  most  ludicrous 
interruptions."  The  fact  of  not  making  provision  for  heating  the 
church  at  the  time  it  was  first  built  would  seem  to  us  now  a 
strange  omission  as  well  as  a  serious  mistake.  We  can  imagine 
the  discomfort,  not  to  say  the  suffering  that  would  be  occasioned 
by  the  absence  of  means  of  heating  on  a  cold  da)'.  The  intro- 
duction of  stoves  into  the  church  caused  no  little  trouble. 
At  first  stoves  were  put  into  the  church  without  any  fire  in 
them.  This  was  declared  as  a  "stove nuisance."  Then,  finally, 
proper  arrangements  were  made,  and  heater  stoves  were  provid- 
ed for  the  church,  that  is,  chinnieys  were  built  and  stoves  were 
connected  with  them.  This  change  of  introducing  stoves  into 
the   churches  was  made   in  the  time  of   the  pastorates  of   Revs. 


ST.  JOHN'S  OR  MANOR  CHURCH.  Ill 

M.  J.  Steele  and  N.  P.  Hacke,  an  account  of  which  Dr.  Hacke 
gives  in  his  historical  notes. 

The  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations  worshipped  to- 
gether in  the  same  house  and  got  along  in  harmony  and  peace 
for  almost  a  century.  They  not  only  held  union  servics,  alternat- 
ing with  each  other,  but  they  also  had  a  Union  Sunday  School  for 
many  years  ;  but  finally  they  concluded  that  the  time  had  come 
when  each  had  better  occupy  a  separate  house.  In  1888  a 
division  of  the  property  was  effected.  The  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion sold  its  interest  in  the  old  church  property  to  the  Re- 
formed. 

There  have  been  ten  pastors  in  this  congregation,  not  count- 
ing several  who  were  not  ordained.  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  who 
organized  the  congregation,  was  pastor  of  it  till  his  death.  The 
first  church  was  built  under  his  pastorate.  Rev.  J.  W.  Weber,  of 
the  Reformed  church  was  his  colleague.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  state  that  this  Manor  church  was  a  union  church,  like  the 
others  of  which  mention  has  been  made,  and  was  used  jointly  by 
the  two  congregations.  In  1829,  when  his  health  began  to 
decline  and  his  strength  to  fail,  Father  Steck  associated  his 
son,  Michael  J.,  with  him  as  his  assistant  in  his  large  parish. 
During  the  next  year,  on  the  death  of  his  father,  the  latter 
became  his  successor.  He  entered  on  his  work  with  earnestness 
and  enthusiasm.  He  ministered  to  this  congregation  for  nine- 
teen years,  and  largely  increased  its  numbers  and  strength.  In 
the  autumn  of  1848  he  was  suddenly  stricken  by  a  malignant 
fever  and  taken  away  from  his  beloved  people  in  the  midst  of  a 
life  of  great  usefulness;  and,  like  Moses,  he  died  in  the  strength 
of  his  manhood. 

When  Father  Steck  died  the  Manor  congregation  was  strong 
and  greatly  needed  services  more  frequently  than  once  in  four 
weeks,  but  for  the  next  two  decades  this  had  to  suffice. 

Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  took  charge  of  this  congregation,  in 
connection  with  a  large  parish,  and  continued  pastor  for  19 
years,  serving  under  the  old  rule  of  one  service  per  month.  He 
was  gathered  to  his  fathers  in  the  spring  of  1868.  After  his 
death    the    Greensburg    parish  was    divided.     Greensburg  and 


112  CONFEKENCE   HISTORY. 

Harrold's  were  constituted  a  parish,  and  Brush  Creek  and 
Manor  another.  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  became  pastor  and  served  for 
a  short  time  on  alternate  Sundays,  but,  owing  to  some  mis- 
understanding between  him  and  his  council,  he  resigned  at 
Manor 

In  1874  this  church  returned  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod,  which  it  had  helped  to  organize,  and  in  1875  Rev. 
J.  A.  ShefFer  of  the  Philadelphia  Theological  Seminar)'  was  called 
to  become  pastor.  The  parish  was  then  composed  of  Manor 
and  Emanuel's,  at  Hill's.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  immediately 
after  his  ordination,  on  Easter  Sunday,  he  began  his  pastoral 
work.  In  July,  1876,  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to  Mahone 
Bay  parish,  Nova  Scotia. 

Rev.  Sheffer's  labors  were  acceptable,  but  he  resigned  in 
order  to  enable  the  Southern  Conference  to  carry  out  the  in- 
tructions  of  Synod  in  reference  to  the  readjustment  of  the 
Manor  and  Brush  Creek  parishes.  During  his  short  pastorate  he 
baptized  a  number  of  children  ;  instructed  and  coniSrmed  two 
classes  of  catechumens,  and  held  several  communions.  At  the 
last  communion  he  held  184  communed  at  Manor,  and  35  at 
Hill's. 

During  part  of  1876  and  1877  Rev.  Enoch  Smith  supplied 
Manor,  and  from  October,  1877,  till  November,  1878,  Rev.  W. 
F.  Ulery  was  temporary  pastor.  He  preached  regularly  at  Manor 
and  Hill's  every  two  weeks,  using  German  and  English  at  Manor 
in  the  morning,  and  English  in  the  afternoon  at  Hill's.  He  bap- 
tized 10  children  and  confirmed  12  young  people  and  received 
others  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church.  He  held  three  com- 
munions ;  conducted  a  number  of  funerals,  and  reported  the 
membership  as  160. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  there  was  a  long 
vacancy.  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy  of  Irwin,  was  a  stated  supply  for 
one  year.  He  faithfully  preached  the  word,  administered  the 
Holy  Sacraments  and  performed  other   ministerial    acts. 

In  1889  Manor  was  united  with  Salem  Evangelical  Luther- 
an church  at  Delmont,  to  constitute  a  parish,  and  Rev.  J.  D. 
Roth  became  pastor.     In  March,  1882  he  resigned  and  accepted 


ST,  John's  OR  MANOR  CHURCH.  113 

a  call  to  Sydney,  Illinois,  and  Rev,  J.  W.  Myers  was  called  to 
become  Rev.  Roth's  successor,  and  entered  on  his  work  soon 
after  tJie  former's  removal. 

Rev.  Myers  was  pastor  of  this  congregation  for  four  3'ears, 
quite  to©  short  a  time  to  do  much  in  the  way  of  permanently  build- 
ing it  up.  He  reported  57  infant  baptisms.;  74  additions  to  the 
communicant  membership,  a  loss  of  20  by  death  and  removal, 
leaving  a  membership  of  225.  These  figures  show  that  he  did 
some  work  here,  and  had  success  in  his  ministry,  and  indi- 
cate that  he  ought  to  have  remained.  He  was  succeeded,  in 
1887,  by  Rev.  C.  I,.  HoUoway,  of  Richmond,  Ohio,  who  was 
installed  soon  after  Rev.  Myers  resigned,  and  was  pastor  for  five 
years.  During  his  pastorate  important  changes  were  made. 
The  union  between  the  I^utheran  and  Reformed  congregations 
was  dissolved.  The  St.  John's  L,utheran  congregation  sold 
their  interest  in  the  church  property  at  old  Manor  to  the 
Reformed,  who  have  built  a  fine  an  substantial  brick  church  on 
the  oM  site,  which  takes  the  place  of  the  old  Manor  church. 
The  lyUtheraiis  removed  to  the  village  of  Boquet,  where  a  suitable 
lot  was  secured  from  Mr.  John  Kepple,  and  a  neat  frame  church 
erected.  But  this  removal  was  attended  with  no  little  diffi- 
culty since  a  number  of  the  members,  living  north  of  the  old 
church,  objected  to  the  new  location,  and  finally,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  outside  parties,  separated  from  the  old  congregation. 
The}^  were  organized  into  a  separate  congregation  by  a  minister 
of  the  General  Synod.  This  move  is  to  be  much  regretted, 
as  it  greatly  weakened  the  old  church.  It  is  sad  that  there 
should  be  these  dissensions  among  brethren.  They  are  a 
great  hindrance  in  our  church  work.  Oh,  for  the  time  "when 
we  shall  see  eye  to  eye,  when  Ephriam  shall  no  more  envy  Judali 
nor  Judah  vex  Ephriam."  St.  John's  congregation  held  services 
in  the  Boquet  school  house  during  the  time  the  new  church  was 
being  built. 

Work  on  the  new  church  was  begun  early  in  1888.  Sub- 
scriptions were  solicited,  plans  secured  and  a  building  committee 
appointed  early  in  the  summer  of  1888,  and  the  work  was 
pushed    vigorously   forward.     The  building   committee     were  : 


ri4  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway,  Reuben  Snyder,  J.  C.  Kepple,  S.  M. 
Decker,  Wm.  Kepple,  L.  G.  Kepple,  Josiah  Klingensmith,  Fred. 
Neudorfer  and  William  Heddinger.  Mr.  P.  J.  Williams  was 
the  builder.  The  contract  was  let  early  in  the  summer  of  1888, 
and  the  corner  stone  laid  about  mid-summer  with  appropri- 
ate services.  The  church  was  finished  about  the  first  of 
January,  18S9,  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  ot  God  on  the  20th 
of  the  same  month.  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  A.  D.  Potts  and 
Charles  S.  Seaman  assisted  at  these  services.  The  pastor, 
Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway,  performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  frame  structure,  4ox6o  feet  in  size,  well 
built  on  a  good  stone  foundation.  It  is  gothic  in  the  style  of 
its  architecture,  neatly  finished  and  well  furnished,  and  is 
churchly  in  all  its  appointments.  The  cost  of  the  church  was 
$5,253.60,  and  was  dedicated  free  of  debt. 

Rev.  C.  ly.  Halloway  continued  his  ministery  in  this  con- 
gregation till  November  1 89 1 ,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call 
to  Mt.  Pleasant  parish.  A  good  work  was  done  during  his 
pastorate.  Two  important  steps  were  taken  in  the  line  of  im- 
provement,— the  dissolution  of  the  union  between  the  Luth- 
eran and  Reformed  congregations,  and  the  building  of  the 
new  church.  The  only  drawback  was  the  withdrawal  of  a 
number  of  members  from  the  old  congregation  on  account  of  the 
removal  to  Boquet,  which,  however,  was  not  his  fault.  He 
makes  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  57  infant 
baptisms,  99  confirmations  and  30  receptions  by  letters  of  trans- 
fer, and  a  loss  of  76  by  death  and  removal,  making  a  net  gain  of 
53  members,  and  an  effective  membership  of  152.  Immediately 
after  the  removal  of  Rev.  Holloway  to  the  Mt.  Pleasant 
parish.  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerraann,  of  Jeannette,  took  charge 
of  St.  John's,  in  connection  with  Jeannette  and  Harrison  City, 
and  served  till  it  the  autumn  of  1893,  when  Harrison  City  and 
Boquet  were  constituted  a  parish. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Zimmerman  Rev.  G.  J. 
Diener,  of  Middle  Lancaster,  Butler  county,  Pa.,  was  called  as 
his  successor.  He  accepted  the  call  and  entered  on  his  work 
January,  1894,   and  was  pastor  for  seven  years,  faithfuly  minis- 


ST.  JOHN'S  OR  MANOR  CHURCH.  115 

tering  to  the  people  regularly  on  each  L,ord's  Day,  alternately 
morning  and  afternoon.  He  resigned  January  i,  1901.  During 
his  pastorate  he  added  34  to  the  membership — 23  by  confirma- 
tion and  1 1  by  letters  of  transfer — and  baptized  57  children. 
He  reports  a  loss  of  20  by  death  and  removal  and  a  communi- 
cant membership  of  loi. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Diener  Rev.  F.  S.  Beistel,  of 
Jeannette,  supplied  the  congregation  on  every  alternate  Sunday 
afternoon  till  the  meeting  of  Synod.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
Southern  Conference  at  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  county,  May  i, 
1901,  a  resolution  was  passed  dissolving  the  relation  existing 
between  St.  John's,  Boquet,  and  Zion's,  Harrison  City,  and, 
according  to  their  own  request,  constituting  them  separate  parishes. 

Soon  after  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  June,  1901,  Rev.  L,.  O. 
Pearch,  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  was  given  a  call  which  he  ac- 
cepted, and  on  the  iSthof  July,  1901  took  charge.  He  is  now 
in  the  field  and  doing  successful  work.  A  good  Sunday  School 
had  been  established  at  Boquet,  which  has  usually  been  closed 
in  the  winter.  It  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  it  is  the 
intention  from  now  on  to  continue  the  school  during  the  entire 
year.  It  numbers  65  scholars,  besides  officers  and  teachers. 
The  interest  in  the  work  has  greatly  increased  since  the  intro- 
duction of  the  system  of  graded  lessons.  The  literature  of 
the  General  Council  Publication  Board  is  used.  Mr.  J.  J. 
Baker  is  superintendent ;  Miss  Annie  Baker,  secretary,  and  Mrs. 
L.  S.  Beck,  treasurer.  The  pastor  is  about  to  organize 
a  Luther  League . 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  present  church  council  : 
Rev.  Iv.  O.  Pearch,  pastor  and  chairman  ex  officio  ;  Elias  Fink, 
Fred.  Neudorfer,  P.  U.  Snyder,  W.  E.  Kepple.  L,  U.  Potts, 
S.  ly.  Beck  and  J.  B.  Helfrech,  deacons;  J.  J.  Baker,  recording 
secretary,  and  Chauncey  Kepple,  financial  secretary. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  pastors  of  St.  John's  church  from 
the  time  of  its  organization  :  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  till  1819  ;  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck,  1819-1848;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1848-1868  ; 
Rev.  J.S.  Fink,  1868-1874;  Rev.  J.  A.  Sheffer,  Oct.  1877  to  July, 


Il6  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

1876;  Rev.  Enoch  Smith,  1876-1877  ;  Rev.  W.  F.  Uler>',  Oct. 
1877  to  Nov.  1878;  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  1879-1880;  Rev.  J.  D. 
Roth,  1 880-1 882— Rev.  J.  W.  Myers,  1882-1SS6;  Rev.  C.  h. 
Holloway,  1886  to  Nov\  1891  ;  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman,  1891  to 
Nov.  I893  ;  Rev.  G.  J.  Diener,  Jan.  1S94-1901  ;  Rev.  Beistel, 
Jan.  1901  to  July,  1901  ;  Rev.  h.  O.  Pearch,  July,  1901,  and  is 
now  the  pastor. 


VII.     ST.    JOHN'S  EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN 

CHURCH,  MT.  PLEASANT  TOWNSHIP, 

WESTMOELAND    COUNTY,    PA. 

Mount  Pleasant  township  was  erected  before  Westmoreland 
county  was  formed.  It  was  one  of  the  townships  of  Bedford 
county  without  definite  limits,  but  when  Westmoreland  county 
was  erected  its  boundaries  were  more  definitely  fixed. 

This  section  of  country  was  part  of  the  Sewickly  Reserva- 
tion of  the  Penns.  It  was  desirable  land  and  was  settled  early. 
Settlements  began  here  immediately  after  the  Province  of  Penn- 
sylvania purchased  the  land  west  of  Laurel  Hill,  and  declared  it 
open  for  settlers. 

John  Martin  was  the  first  settler.  He  came  here  in  1769. 
John  Giffin  followed  soon  afterwards.  He  is  the  grandsire  of  the 
well  known  Gifiin  families.  From  1770  to  1776,  many  English 
speaking  people  settled  in  this  communit}',  especially  Scotch 
Presbyterians,  for  it  is  stated  that  the  Middle  (Presbyterian) 
Church  was  organized  in  1776,  and  has  a  connected  history  from 
that  time  down  to  the  present. 

The  German  people  came  later.  Among  the  first  were 
Conrad  Byers  and  Christian  Lobingier.  Mr.  Byers  was  born 
in  Germany.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Jacob  Byers,  a  worthy 
member  of  the  Reformed  church.  Mr.  Lobingier  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county.  Pa.,  in  1740.     His  father  came  from  Witten- 


ST.    JOHN'S    OR    KINTIG'S    CHURCH.  I17 

burg,  Germany.  He  settled  here  in  1772  ;  was  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  the  township,  and  one  of  the  organizers  and  a  leading 
member  of  the  St.  Paul  congregation. 

Among  the  settlers  who  came  after  1780  were  John  Spiel- 
amn,  Martin  Bash,  Philip  Smith,  Rudolph  Baer,  Jacob  Klingen- 
smith,  Adam  Weaver,  Jacob  Hartman,  C.  Amalong,  J.  Storkber- 
ger  and  others.  From  1790  to  1795  many  more  came,  among 
whom  were  names  yet  familiar — the  Fishers,  Rumbaughs  and 
Kintig's. 

Though  Mt.  Pleasant  township  was  not  in  the  territory  most 
troubled  with  Indian  raids,  and  there  being  a  chain  of  forts  and 
blockhouses  erected  for  the  protection  of  the  settlers,  yet  they 
were  not  exempt  from  trouble.  The  same  trials  and  privations 
which  the  people  along  the  Ridge,  in  St.  Paul's  congregation, 
had  to  endure,  was  also  the  lot  of  St.  John's  church.  They  had 
to  be  on  their  guard  at  all  times  and  go  with  gun  in  hand  to  pro- 
tect themselves  against  the  attacks  that  were  liable  to  be  made  at 
any  time  by  the  savages.  Those  times  required  people  of  a 
heroic  spirit,  as  well  as  persevering  energy. 

The  forests  had  to  be  cleared,  the  lands  cultivated  and  homes 
provided  for  themselves  and  dependents.  They  came  to  a  wilder- 
ness invested  with  fierce  and  dangerous  wild  beasts,  and  inhab- 
ited by  more  fierce  and  dangerous  wild  men,  against  these  they 
had  to  protect  themselves.  Manj^  of  these  people  had  also  to 
endure  the  trials,  meet  the  dangers  and  endure  the  burdens  of 
three  wars.  First,  the  Indian  War,  which  was  sharp,  barbarous 
and  destructive.  Then  came  the  War  of  Independence,  which 
was  long,  trying  and  burdensome.  After  these  two  were  past, 
and  there  had  been  a  few  years  of  rest,  came  the  War  of  181 2. 
All  these  wars  caused  great  depression  in  business,  and  also 
greatly  hindered  the  growth  of  the  church. 

About  the  time  that  St.  John's  was  organized  there  was  a 
great  disturbance  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  called  "The  Whisky 
Insurrection,"  which  caused  much  embarrassment  among  the 
people,  and  paralyzed  business. 

Owing  to  these  several  causes  the  organization  of  the  church 
was  delayed,   and  greatly  hindered  in  its   progress  after   it  was 


Il8  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

organized,  but  when  these  trials  were  over  the  good  people  of 
our  church  took  steps  to  organize  a  congregation,  build  a  house 
of  worship  and  start  a  parochial  school. 

St.  John's  Kvangsiical  L,utheran  church  was  organized  by 
Rev,  John  M.  Steck  on  the  3rd  day  of  January,  1793,  and  from 
that  time  on  services  were  held  at  regular  intervals  in  this  con- 
gregation by  both  Lutheran  and  Reformed  ministers,  it  being 'a 
union  church  like  the  rest  built  in  those  primitive  times. 

There  are  records  showing  that  a  Reformed  minister, 
Rev.  John  William  Weber,  niinistered  to  the  people  of 
this  congregation  from  1784  or  '85  onward.  He  came  to  this 
county  some  eight  years  before  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  and  we  have 
reason  to  conclude  that  there  was  a  provisional  organization  of 
the  Lutheran  people  of  Kintig's  as  early  as  1784  or  17S5,  and 
that  this  congregation  was  ministered  to  by  Rev.  A.  Ulrich 
Luetge,  the  first  Lutheran  minister  located  in  V/estmoreland 
county,  who  came  to  the  Zion  settlement  one  year  before  Rev. 
W^eber,  and  had  charge  of  the  Lutheran  settlements  in  this 
county  at  that  early  day. 

The  first  house  erected  as  a  place  of  worship  was  built  of 
logs,  and  was  used  both  as  a  school  house  and  a  church.  It  was 
built  very  much  like  the  one  at  Harrold's  and  was  very  simple 
and  primitive  in  all  its  crrrni-cments.  It  stood  on  a  lot  east  of  the 
site  of  the  present  church,  and  for  many  years  after  the  erection 
of  the  latter  it  v.-as  used  as  a  school  house.  It  is  now  the 
sexton's  residence. 

Henry  Fisher,  Daniel  and  John  Kintig  owmed  the  land  now 
occupied  by  the  church  and  cemetery,  which  they  conveyed  to 
the  trustees  of  the  two  congregations  on  the  1 3th  of  November, 
18 1 3.  It  had,  however,  been  in  actual  possession  by  them 
long  before  that  time,  though  the  conveyance  had  been  delayed. 

The  second  church,  which  was  a  plain  brick  building,  was 
erected  in  1827.  It  stood  near  the  same  place  where  the  present 
church  stands.  It  was  about  35x50  feet  in  size,  plainly  finished 
and  modestly  furnished,  as  compared  \^'ith  our  modern  churches. 
It  cost  about  $2,000. 

The  present  church  was  built   in    1861.      Mr.    Peter  Rum- 


ST.    JOHN'S    OR    KINTIG'S    CHURCH.  II9 

baugh  was  chairman  ot  the  building  committee,  and,  in  a  great 
measure,  had  charge  of  the  whole  matter.  It  is  built  of  brick 
which  were  made  on  Mr.  Rumbaugh's  farm  and  under  his  direc- 
tion. This  church,  like  the  first  biick  one,  is  finished  and 
furnished,  without  any  unnecessary  ornamentation.  The  building 
is  40x50  feet  in  size  ;  plain  in  its  architecture,  and  cost,  built 
in  w^ar  times,  about  $3,500.  Being  a  union  church,  it  was 
erected  jointly  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  people. 

The  membership  of  St.  John's  was  never  large,  but  the  con- 
gregation has  always  been  financially  strong,  as  a  majority  of  the 
members  are  well  to  do.  Whilst  it  has  fluctuated,  yet  there  has 
been  a  gradual  growth.  One  reason  why  there  has  not  been  a 
a  more  rapid  increase  is,  because  there  have  been  too  many 
changes  in  pastors,  and  too  many  long  vacancies.  The  present 
communicant  membership  is  given  as  120.  From  the  time  of  its 
organization  by  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  in  1793,  it  was  under  his 
pastoral  care  till  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  took  charge  of  it  in  1823. 
No  doubt  Rev.  Mechling  began  his  work  in  this  congregation  as 
early  as  1822,  but  as  his  records  do  not  begin  till  1823  we  con- 
clude that  he  did  not  have  entire  charge  till  then.  From  this 
time  till  his  resignation  in  1855,  a  period  of  32  years,  he  ha  1 
full  pastoral  care  of  this  congregation.  He  ministered  to 
this  people,  month  by  mo  i:h  aid  year  by  year,  conduct- 
ing services  once  every  four  weeks,  and  holding  catechetical 
instructions  and  having  confirmations  once  in  two  years,  which 
was  the  general  rule  in  union  churches  for  a  long  time.  He 
preached  many  hundreds  of  sermons  ;  baptized  and  confirmed 
many,  and  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  people.  He  was 
called  to  the  Greensburg  parish  in  1848,  but  still  continued  to 
exercise  a  pastoral  care  over  this  church  till  1855,  preaching  as 
often  as  time,  strength  and  circumstances  permitted. 

Soon  after  Rev.  Mechling' s  final  resignation,  Rev.  I.  O.  P. 
Baker,  from  the  Lutheran  Theological  Seminary  of  Columbus, 
O.,  became  his  successor  and  ministered  to  this  congrega- 
tion in  a  very  satisfactory  manner  till  1861,  when  the  Master 
called     him   to    his     reward     in    the     begining  of    his   useful 


I20  conference;  history. 

ministerial  life,  and  on  the  very  threshold  of  his  pastoral  work 
here.  He  conducted  services  and  ministered  in  German  and 
English,  which  was  highly  appreciated  by  his  faithful  people. 
His  early  death  was  greatly  lamented. 

After  a  vacancy  of  some  months  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby  of  Ohio, 
became  Rev.  Baker's  successor.  He  began  his  work  here  early 
in  1S63,  and  was  pastor  of  this  congregation  upwards  of  five 
years.  His  pastorate  was  of  short  duration,  yet  he  did  good 
service  and  enjoj^ed  the  confidence  of  the  people.  In  1S69  he 
received  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in  Ohio. 

In  December,  1869,  Rev.  Enoch  Smith  was  called  and  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Mt. Pleasant  parish.  He  was  a  genial,  kind 
man,  an  acceptable  preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor.  During  the 
four  years  of  his  pastorate  he  rendered  effective  service,  made 
many  friends  in  this  congregation,  and  left  the  sweet  odor  of  a 
pure  and  upright  life  behind  him.  He  resigned  in  the  autumn 
of  1873,  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Greensburg  parish. 

After  a  vacancy  of  a  few  months  Rev.  S.  L,.  Harkey,  D.  D. 
became  the  successor  of  Rev.  Smith  in  this  parish,  and  began  his 
pastoral  work  in  St.  John's  church  on  the  ist  day  of  January, 
1874.  He  was  an  able  and  earnest  preacher  and  a  good  church 
worker.  He  ministered  faithfully  to  this  people  in  word  and 
sacrament,  made  many  friends,  and  when  he  resigned  the  old 
substantial  members  gave  him  up  with  much  regret;  but  he  also 
escaped  the  woe  of  those  of  whom  all  men  speak  well.  In  the 
autumn  of  1S82  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  St. 
Stephen's  Mission  in  Toledo,  O. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Harkey  the  Mt.  Pleasant 
parish  was  divided.  St.  Paul's  or  Ridge  church,  was  made  an 
independent  parish,  and  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts  became  pastor. 
Trini)^  Mt.  Pleasant t  St.  John's,  and  Zion's  church,  were  con- 
stituted the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver  of 
Leechburg,  was  called  and  became  its  pastor.  He  ministered  to 
this  congregation  for  three  years  nnd  four  months,  just  long 
enough  to  get  acquainted  with  the  people  and  learn  their  needs, 
but  too  short  a  time  to  do  much   in  the  way  of  building  it  up. 


JOHN  A.  WATERS 


GEO.  J.  GONGAWARE 


II     I.    Mr.MUKKAV 


VV.  J.  MILLER 


ST.    JOHN'S   OR    KINDIGH'S    CHURCH.  121 

In  November,  1886,  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  mis- 
sion at  Hazleton,  Kansas,  and  removed  to  that  place  on  the  ist 
of  December  of  the  same  year.  After  his  resignation  this  con- 
gregation, as  well  as  the  entire  parish,  suffered  another  long 
vacancy. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1888,  Rev.  J.  R.  Groff  of  the  Ministe- 
rinm  of  Pennsylvania,  accepted  a  call  to  Mt.  Pleasant  parish  and 
became  the  successor  of  Rev.  Sarver.  He  ministsred  to  St 
John's  congregation  for  three  years  with  earnestness  and  fidelity. 
In  the  autumn  of  1891  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  a  parish,  in 
Eastern  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  autumn  of  1891  Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway  of  Delmont, 
was  called  and  took  charge  of  this  church  on  December  ist,  1891, 
and  continued  to  serve  the  people  in  an  acceptable  manner  for 
five  years.  He  resigned  on  December  ist,  1896,  to  accept  a  call 
to  a  mission  church  at  Monaca,  Pa. 

After  a  vacancy  of  six  months  Rev.  Herbert  Martens  of 
Ohio,  was  called.  He  entered  on  his  official  duties  July  i,  1897 
and  continued  to  minister  to  St.  John's,  in  connection  with  the 
other  churches  in  the  parish,  till  November  i,  1900,  when  he  re- 
signed and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Home  Mission  Committee  of 
the  General  Council  to  take  charge  of  a  mission  in  Salt  I^ake 
City,   Utah. 

During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  the  Mt.  Pleasant 
parish,  then  connected  with  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  changed 
its  Sy nodical  relations  and  united  with  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

According  to  the  parochial  reports  of  this  congregation,  as 
given  in  the  minutes  of  Synod,  commencing  with  1886,  we  find 
the  following  data:  During  Rev.  J.  Sarver's  pastorate  the  con- 
gregation just  held  its  own.  It  had  100  communicants  when  he 
took  charge,  and  he  reported  the  same  number  when  he  resigned. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Groff  reported  13  infant  baptisms,  20  additions 
by  confirmation  and  a  loss  of  seven  by  death  and  removal — a  net 
gain  of  13  members. 

Rev.  C.  Iv.  Holloway  reported  16  baptisms,  56  additions  by 
confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of  28  by  death  and 
removal — a  net  gain  of  28  members. 


122  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Rev.  Herbert  Martens  reported  14  baptisms,  21  additions  to 
the  membership — a  loss  of  ten. 

According  to  these  data  SL  John's  membership  ought  to  be 
139,  but  experience  has  taught  us  that  there  are  losses  in  every 
congi'egation  not  accounted  for  in  parochial  reports.  Tiie  losses 
in  our  old  mother  churches,  especially  in  the  country,  are  heavy, 
because  the  old  are  dying  and  many  of  the  young  are  removing 
to  the  towns  and  cities. 

There  is  a  prosperous  Sunday  vSchool  connected  with  St. 
John's  church,  but  it  is,  in  a  certain  sense,  a  union  school.  It  is 
conducted  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  superintendents  on 
alternate  Sundays.  It  numbers  no  scholars  and  12  teachers  and 
ojSicers,  and  has  an  average  attendance  of  80.  Mr.  D.  L.  Ruft  is 
the  lyUtheran  superintendent  and  Mr.  Nelson  Poorbaugh  the  Re- 
formed. Miss  Mary  Durstine  is  Secretary,  aud  Mr.  Jacob  By ers, 
treasurer.  It  is  carried  on  successfull}' during  the  entire  year, 
and  is  doing  a  good  work. 

There  is  also  a  cemetery  connected  with  this  church  in  which 
are  the  graves  of  many  of  the  old  and  substantial  citizens  of  the 
community  and  prominent  members  of  the  church.  The  oldest 
graves  that  are  marked  are  over  100  years  old.  Think  !  three 
generations  lie  buried  here  side  by  side,  and  as  we  pass  along  and 
view  the  tombs  we  are  impressed  with  the  thought,  how  solemn 
is  the  place,  and  how  sacred  its  associations  ! 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  church  council :  Rev.  W. 
R.  Swickard,  pastor  and  ex-officio  president,  Wm.  Gongaware, 
J.  L.  Stouffer,  D.  L.  Ruff  and  L.  F.  Taylor,  deacons,  A.  M. 
Rumbaugh  and  S.  R.  Ruff,  trustees  ;  Lawrence  Wertz,  treasurer. 

List  of  pastors  since  its  organization  :  Rev.  John  M.  Steck, 
1793-1822 ;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1822-1855  ;  Rev.  I.  O.  P. 
Baker,  1855-1862  ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby,  April  1863-1869  :  Rev. 
Enoch  Smith,  1869-1873  ;  Rev.  S.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  1873  to  Oct. 
1882;  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  D.  D.  1883-1 886  ;  Rev.  R.  Groff,  April 
1888-1891 ;  Rev.  C  L-  Holloway,  1891  to  Dec.  1 896 ;  Rev. 
Herbert  Martens,  1897  to  Nov.  1900;  Rev.  W.  R.  Swickard, 
1 900-  to  the  present. 


ZION  3    OR    SCHWAB  S   CHURCH.  1 23 


VIII.      ZION' 3  EVANGEUCAI,    LUTHERAN    CHURCH, 
EAST  HUNTINGDON  TOWNSHIP,  WEST- 
MORELAND COUNTY,  PA. 

This  congreg-ation  has  been  known  for  a  long  time  as 
"Swope's  Church."  This  is  a  local  name,  doubtless  derived 
from  some  person  living  in  the  community  to  whom  the  church 
was  under  obligation,  or  who  took  a  prominent  part  in  its 
management. 

Zion's  church  is  located  about  four  miles  southwest  of  Mt. 
Pleasant,  near  the  Ragantown  road.  The  congregation  was 
organized  not  long  after  St.  John's,  with  which  it  has  been 
associated  over  one  hmidred  years.  From  time  immemorial  it 
has  been  in  the  same  parish  and  served  by  the   same   ministers. 

About  the  year  1793  or  1794  a  log  church  was  built  in  the 
old  graveyard,  to  the  right  of  the  road.  It  was  of  the  same 
style  of  architecture  and  finish  as  the  other  log  churches  which 
have  been  mentioned,  with  puncheon  for  a  floor,  hewn  logs  for 
seats,  and  all  its  furniture  and  fixtures  of  the  plainest  and  most 
primitive  kind.  It  was  used  both  as  a  place  of  worship  and  a 
school  house. 

With  the  fathers  of  our  church  religion  and  education  were 
closely  connected.  The  school  house  and  church  were  always  in 
evidence  in  every  Eutheran  communit3\  When  the  congrega- 
tion was  not  able  to  have  both  side  by  side  it  would  combine 
them  in  one,  and  use  the  same  building  for  church  and  school, 
consecrating  it  to  education  as  well  as  religion.  This  act  of 
these  noble  patriarchs  of  our  Eutheran  church,  ought  to  be  an 
object  lesson  to  their  children,  for  Christian  education  is  the 
handmaid  of  religion  and  ought  never  to  be  separated  from  it. 

As  this  congregation  has  been  in  the  same  parish  with  St. 
John's,  and  has  been  served  by  the  same  ministers  for  all  the 
time  of  its  existence,  its  history  runs  parallel  with  that  of  St. 
John's,  and  what  we  have  said  of  it  is  true  of  Zion's  also.  The 
people  of  both  are  in  many  respects  alike,  though   they  did  not 


124  CONFERBNCE  HISTORY. 

emigrate  from  the  same  country.  Tliey  were  all  Germans  and 
subject  to  like  trials  and  privations  ;  had  to  pass  through  the 
same  struggles,  meet  the  same  dangers  and  bear  the  same 
burdens.  The  Indian  trouble  cast  their  shadows  on  their  path. 
The  Revolutionary  War  laid  similar  burdens  upon  them,  nor 
were  thej^  exempt  from  the  embarrassment  and  confusion  occa- 
sioned by  the  "Whisky  Insurrection"  in  1794,  and,  later,  the 
War  of  1812,  which  called  out  not  a  few  of  their  strong  men  to 
do  militar)^  duty.  All  these  changes  had  a  great  Influence  on 
business,  and  did  much  to  hinder  the  growth  of  the  church.  As 
soon,  however  as  the  good  people  recovered  from  these  embar- 
rassments they  gave  attention  to  the  church  and  religion,  and 
provided  for  the  services  of  God's  house,  and  attended  them  with 
as  such  regularity  as  circumstance  permitted. 

This  congregation,  like  St.  John's,  was  no  doubt  organized 
by  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  the  patriarch  of  Lutheranism  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  under   his  pastoral  care  during  all  the 
years  of  its  early  history.     He  served  it,  in  connection  with  St. 
John's  and  other  points,  till  1822,  when  he  gave  it  up  and  placed  it, 
with  other  congregations,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling, 
who  served  it  over  30  years,  till  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Greens- 
burg  parish,  in  1848.     As  Zion's  and  John's  have  always  had  the 
same  pastors,  their  records  are  similar,  so  what   we  have  said  of 
Rev.  Mechling  in  the  St.  John's  church  need  not  be  repeated. 
After  he  resigned  Rev.    I.  O.  P.  Baker,  of    the  Theological 
Seminary,   Columbus,   O.,   was  elected  and  installed  as  pastor. 
He  entered   on  his  work  with  enthusiasm    and   discharged   the 
duties  of  his  holy  office  with  earnestness  and  fidelity,  ministering 
to  the  people  in  word  and  sacrament  till  the  Master  called  him. 
During  the  last  year  of  Rev.  Baker's  pastorate  the  present  church 
was  built.     It  was  begun  in  1861  and  completed  and  dedicated  in 
1862  ;  is  a  plain  brick  building,   35x60  feet,    substantially   built 
without  any  extra  ornamentation,  and  furnished   in   a  plain  and 
modest  style.     Being  built  during  the  troublesome  times  of  the 
civil  war,  when  material  and  labor  were  high,  it  probably  cost 
was $2,500  to  $3,000.     Jacob  lycighty  donated  the  lot  on  which 
it  stands. 


zion's  or  Schwab's  church.  125 

In  the  autumn  of  1862  Rev.  Baker  was  stricken  with  a 
mahgnant  disease  and  in  a  short  time  fell  a  victim  to  diphtheret- 
ic  blood  poisoning.  He  died  December  10,  1862,  in  the  midst 
of  his  work  and  on  the  very  threshold  of  a  life  of  usefulness. 
His  death  was  universally  lamented  and  made  a  deep  impression 
on  his  congregation.  Genial,  kind  and  S3'mpathetic  in  disposi- 
tion, pure  in  character  and  earnest  in  his  work,  he  was  much 
beloved. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  Baker  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish  was 
vacant  for  some  months.  In  the  spring  of  1863  Rev.  G,  W. 
Busby  of  Ohio,  was  called  as  his  successor.  He  rendeied  accept- 
able service  in  this  congregation,  but  as  we  have  no  record  of  his 
ministerial  acts  we  cannot  give  anj'  particulars  of  his  work. 
After  serving  the  parish  nearly  six  years  he  resigned  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  a  church  in  Ohio. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  Rev.  Enoch  Smith,  accepted  a  call 
to  this  parish  and  became  the  worthy  successor  of  Rev.  G. 
W.  Busby.  An  earnest,  conscientious  man,  an  effective  preacher 
of  the  Gospel  and  a  kind  and  faithful  pastor,  he  did  good  work 
in  this  congregation,  but  about  the  time  that  he  began  to  be  well 
acquainted  with  the  people,  and  they  had  learned  to  appreciate 
his  worth,  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Greensburg  parish, 
in  December,    1873,  and  a  long  vacancy  again  ensued. 

Rev.  S,  h-  Harkey,  D.  D.,  became  the  successor  of  Rev. 
Smith  in  the  fall  of  1873  and  faithfully  served  this  people  for 
for  a  period  of  over  nine  years,  resigning  in  April,  1882,  as 
already  noted  elsewhere.  The  parish  was  then  divided,  as  men- 
tioned in  the  history  of  St.  Paul's  church.  Rev.  J.  Sarver  of 
Leechburg,  became  pastor,  it  remaining  as  part  of  the  Mt. 
Pleasant  parish.  He  began  his  work  April  i,  1883,  and  contin- 
ued for  three  years  and  a  half,  but  resigned  before  he  was 
enabled  to  do  much  successful  work  in  the  permanent  up- 
building of  the  congregation.  In  the  autumn  of  1886  he  was 
called  to  take  charge  of  a  mission  in  Hazleton,  Kan. 

Another  long  and  painful  vacancy  followed.  In  April,  1888, 
Rev.  J.  R.  Groff  became  pastor  and  was  installed  soon  after- 
wards.    He  ministered  regularly,  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  to 


126  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

this  congreg^ation  and  faithfully  performed  all  ministerial  acts  for 
a  period  of  three  years  and  three  months,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  a  call  to  DoylesLown,  Pa.,  in  the  summer  of  iSSi. 

Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway  of  Delmont,  was  called,  and  installed 
pastor  of  this  parish  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  a  few  months  later. 
He  served  this  congregation  faithfull)-  and  acceptably  for  five 
years,  and  resigned  in  the  autnmn  of  I896,  and  accepted  a  call  to 
Monaca,  Pa. 

In  July,  1897,  Rev.  Herbert  Martens  of  Ohio,  became  pastor 
and  ministered  to  this  congregation,  on  every  alternate  Sunday, 
for  five  years,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  Salt  Lake 
City,  Utah,  as  already  stated  elsewhere. 

The  parish  was  vacant  until  Jul}',  1901,  when  Rev.  W.  R. 
Swickard  of  Franklin,  Pa  ,  was  installed.  He  has  been  engaged 
in  his  pastoral  duties  since  the  middle  of  July,  1901,  and  is  now 
earnestly  at  work,  endeavoring  to  gather  and  regain  what  was 
scattered  and  lost  during  the  long  vacanc5^  During  this  vacancy 
this  congregation  was  only  partially  supplied,  there  being  whole 
months  during  which  no  public  services  were  held,  and  no  small 
loss  has  been  entailed. 

Since  the  parish  became  a  part  of  our  S3mod  we  have  the 
following  record  of  the  congregation  by  its  several  pastors  : 
Rev.  J.  Sarver  reports  5  baptisms  and  100  members  ;  Rev.  J.  R. 
Groff,  10  infant  baptisms,  15  additions  to  the  communicant  mem- 
bership by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer,  and  a 
loss  of  9  by  death  and  removal,  a  net  gain  of  6;  Rev.  C.  L,.  Hollo- 
way  baptized  14  children,  added  39  by  confirmation  and  letters  of 
transfer,  a  loss  of  15  by  death  and  removal,  a  gain  of  24  ;  Rev. 
Herbert  Marthens,  6  baptisms,  added  7  by  confirmation  and  a 
loss  of  6. 

These  several  pastors  have  reported  a  net  gain  since  1886, 
when  Dr.  Sarver  reported  100  members,  yet  have  reduced  the 
membership  to  93. 

We  desire  to  emphasize  two  facts — frequent  changes  and 
long  vacancies — as  great  hindrances  in  the  development  and  per- 
permanent  upbuilding  of  congregrtions.  This  has  been  one  of 
the  great  drawbacks  in  this  parish.     The  officers  of  the  congre- 


ZION'S    or   SCHWAB'S    CHURCH.  1 27 

gation,  with  the  aid  and  advice  of  tlie  Conference  and  Synod, 
ought  to  take  immediate  steps  to  fill  a  vacancy  as  soon  as  it 
occurs. 

This  congregation  has  had  a  Sunday  School  for  a  long  time, 
but  it  is  a  union  school,  and,  as  a  rule,  is  held  only  during 
the  summer.  It  ought  be  open  every  Sunday  during  the  year, 
and  every  L,ntheran  congregation  should  have  a  Sunday  school 
of  its  ov.'U. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  church  council  :  Rev.  W. 
R.  Swickard,  pastor  and  ex-officio  president,  Abraham  R.  Stover, 
Jacob  W.  ^eighty  and  John  H.  Stover,  deacons  ;  Charles  F. 
Stover,   trustee. 

L,ist  of  pastors  since  its  organization  :  Rev.  John  M.  Steck, 
1793-1822;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1822-1855  ;  Rev.  I.  O.  P. 
Baker,  1855-1862  ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby,  April  1863-1869  :  Rev. 
Enoch  Smith,  1869-1873  ;  Rev.  S.  E.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  187310  Oct. 
1882;  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  D.  D.  1883-1 886  ;  Rev.  R.  Groff,  April 
1888-1891 ;  Rev.  C  L.  Holloway,  1891  to  Dec.  1 896 ;  Rev. 
Herbert  Martens,  1897  to  Nov.  1900;  Rev.  W.  R.  Swickard, 
July,  1 901   to  the  present. 


IX.      GOOD    HOPE   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN 

CHURCH,  SALTLICK  TOWNSHIP, 

FAYETTE  COUNTY,  PA. 

Good  Hope  church  was  organized  about  1790 — perhaps 
already  in  the  eighties.  Its  baptismal  records  date  back  to  1788. 
The  name  that  was  formerly  given  to  it  was  "Back  Creek 
Church,  "which  name  it  retained  till  its  removal  to  Indian  Head 
in  1882,  where  a  new  church  was  built.  A  custom  obtained,  and 
for  a  long  time  followed,  to  call  churches  by  some  local  name  or 
personage.  The  location  of  this  church  being  near  the  moun- 
tain stream  called  Back  Creek  occasioned  the  name. 

The  first  house  of  worship  was  doubtless  erected  soon  after 
the  organization  of  the   congregation.      It   was    a  log  building. 


128  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

25x40  feet,  the  model  of  its  construction  being  the  same  as  the 
other  churches  of  those  primitive  times,  and  as  heretofore  de- 
scribed in  this  history.  The  writer  had  the  privilege  of  being 
present  at  a  service  in  this  old  church.  The  exact  date  of  its 
erection  cannot  be  fixed,  yet  we  do  know  that  it  was  built  before 
1795,  for  it  was  then  in  use. 

In  the  original  record  there  is  a  special  note  made  of  the 
fact  that  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  of  Greensburg,  and  Rev.  John 
Stouch  of  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  county,  met  here  on  the  23d 
of  June,  1795  and  held  a  joint  communion  in  which  the  members 
of  this  church  participated  in  conjunction  with  a  goodly  number 
of  the  Four  Mile  Run  church,  near  Donegal.  The  record  states 
that  forty  communed  at  this  time. 

The  presence  of  Revs.  Steck  and  Stouch  had  special  signi- 
ficance. They  met  b}?^  appointment  to  confer  together  and 
advise  with  the  people  about  the  interests  and  needs  of  the 
lyUtherans  in  the  valley.  This  proves  what  we  ha\-e  believed 
and  maintained  for  some  time,  that  these  fathers  of  otir  church 
in  its  early  history  co-operated  together  in  their  work,  and  had 
a  general  oversight  of  the  church  in  Western  Pennsjdvania. 
This  one  thing  certainlj^  is  true,  they  looked  after  the  interests 
of  our  people  in  the  lyigonier  valley,  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
provided  for  their  spiritual  needs. 

This,  like  most  of  our  churches  in  thatda)%  was  a  union 
church.  Alternate  services  were  held  by  the  Lutherans  and 
Reformed  initil  the  latter  became  extinct. 

The  same  conditions  existed  here  as  in  those  early  churches 
already  noted  These  hardy  German  people  of  the  lyUtheran 
faith  who  settled  in  this  neighborhood,  had  to  pass  through  the 
same  trials,  endure  the  same  privations,  and  be  subject  to  the 
same  laws  of  self  protection  as  those  of  the  other  settlements 
already  described.  We  who  live  in  the  beginning  of  this  twen- 
tieth century,  and  are  enjoying  all  the  comforts,  conveniencies 
and  blessings  of  these  prolific  times,  can  scarcely  realize  what 
suffering  and  dangers,  saj'ing  nothing  of  the  discomforts,  those 
fathers  of  our  church  had  to  pass  through.  But,  God  be  praised, 
many  of  them  have  left  us  a  noble  heritage — a  good  name  and  a 


GOOD  HOPE  OR  BACK  CREEK  CHURCH.         1 29 

well  spent  life.  They  had  to  clear  away  the  forest,  provide 
homes  and  sustenance  for  themselves  and  their  households,  as 
well  as  protect  themselves  and  theirs  against  the  devouring  wild 
beasts,  and  against  the  savage  attacks  of  the  native  inhabitants 
who  wandered  over  hill  and  dale,  and  were  a  menace  to  the  white 
man  wherever  he  was  found. 

Then  there  were  other  elements  that  entered  into  the  condi- 
tion that  modified  the  church  life  of  the  times,  and  seriously 
effected  it,  which  have  been  already  referred  to  in  connection  with 
other  churches,  and  which  we  repeat  here  only  to  make  the  story 
of  this  church  complete,  namely,  the  several  wars  of  those  times. 
These  wars  and  civil  disturbances  followed  each  other  in  close 
succession,  and  kept  the  people  in  constant  excitement  and 
commotion. 

First  came  the  French  and  Indian  War,  which  was  carried 
on  in  a  savage  and  barbarous  manner.  Before  these  troubles, 
which  hung  like  a  dark  cloud  over  this  community,  had  been 
fully  settled,  came  the  War  of  Independence,  which  was  long, 
wearisome  and  exhausting,  paralizing  every  business  enterprise 
and  seriously  affecting  all  the  social  and  religious  institutions  of 
the  land. 

The  country  had  not  had  time  to  recover  from  the  drain  and 
waste  caused  by  these  two  destructive  wars,  till  Western  Pensyl- 
vania  was  seriously  disturbed  by  the  uprising  known  as  the 
"Whisky  Insurrection".  After  this  commotion  was  settled  and 
the  people  returned  to  their  ordinary  avocations  for  a  few  years, 
and  the  country  was  fast  recovering  from  the  heavy  burdens  that 
were  laid  upon  it,  then  there  came  the  War  of  1812,  which 
was  only  a  sequel  to  the  Revolutionary  War. 

During  these  years  of  trial  and  tribulation  there  could  be 
little  development  of  the  resources  of  the  community,  and  less 
growth  in  the  church.  The  increase  of  this  congregation  was 
slow  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  this  section  of  country  was  thinly 
settled,  and  because  of  the  little  pastoral  care  it  received.  At 
best  it  received  only  one  service  a  month  and  we  know  that  is  too 
little  even  now  to  keep  people  alive,  much  less  to  build  them  up 
in  godliness  and  add  to  their  number. 


130  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

There  were  long  vacancies  to  which  we  have  referred  already 
in  the  case  of  other  churches,  than  which  there  is  nothing  more 
damaging  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  congregation. 
We  have  noted  the  damaging  effects  of  these  vacancies,  and, 
other  things  being  equal,  the  good  results  of  long  pastorates, 
and  we  desire  again  to  emphazise  this  fact  here. 

Early  in  the  history  of  this  church  Peter  Bucher  and  An- 
drew Traff  donated  to  it  a  farm  containing  38  acres.  It  was 
owned  jointly  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations. 
The  Reformed  congregation  gradually  declined  and  finally  died 
out,  and  in  1881  the  Lutherans  sold  their  interest  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Eicher  and  applied  the  proceeds  to  the  building  of  a  new  chnrch. 
The  Reformed  of  course  lost  their  interest  in  the  farm,  inasmuch 
as  there  was  no  longer  any  congregation  in  existence  to  claim  it. 

As  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  determine,  from  all  the 
records  that  have  come  down  to  us,  there  have  been  16  pastors 
who  served  this  church,  besides  several  missionaries.  Indeed 
most  of  the  ministers  were  only  missionaries,  for  they  made  visits 
and  ministered  to  the  the  people,  and  then  went  their  way. 

This  congregation  was  organized,  without  doubt,  in  the  same 
way  as  Jacob's  church,  first  by  a  provisional  organization  which 
constinued  for  several  years  before  it  was  made  permanent.  It 
is  our  opinion  that  Revs.  Steck  and  Stouch  formed  the  permanent 
organization  in  June,  1795,  when  they  met  in  the  Back  Creek 
church  and  held  a  communion  service  together,  and  from  that 
time  on  Rev.  Stouch  had  the  oversight  of  this  church  until  he 
resigned  the  Jacob's  church  and  removed  to  Ohio,  in  1806. 

Rev.  F.  W.  Lange  served  this  congregation,  no  doubt  as  a 
missionary,  under  Revs.  Stouch  and  Steck,  from  1797  till  18 14, 
Revs.  Reiche  and  Giesse  ministered  to  the  Reformed  part  of  the 
congregation. 

After  the  resignation  or  withdrawal  of  Rev,  Lange  there 
was  a  long  vacancy,  during  which  the  congregation  was  not  reg- 
ularly supplied.  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  had  general  oversight,  no 
doubt,  for,  like  Rev.  Stouch,  he  was  a  most  faithful  and  labori- 
ous missionary,  but,  of  course,  could  not  render  regular  service 
here.     Various  missionaries  came  and  ministered  to  the  people 


GOOD  HOPE  OR  BACK  CREEK  CHURCH.         I31 

during  this  period,  and  the  pastors  of  Jacob's  church  rendered 
some  service,  as  we  gather  from  the  records,  but  as  these  pastors 
have  left  no  records  of  their  ministerial  acts,  we  cannot  give  a 
definite  account  of  the  events  of  that  period  of  12  years. 

In  1826  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  took  charge  of  all  the  churches 
in  the  lyigonier  Valley,  and  was  pastor  of  this  congregation  till 
1848.  He  served  it  with  promptness  and  fidelity,  but  held  only 
one  service  a  month,  and  for  a  long  time  only  one  communion  a 
year.  When  he  took  charge  its  membership  was  quite  small.  At 
the  first  communion,  of  which  a  record  is  given,  on  January  28, 
1828,  only  13  persons  were  present.  During  the  long  vacancy 
which  had  occurred  before  his  pastorate  began,  the  congregation 
had  suffered  great  loss — much  of  the  best  material  had  been 
absorbed  by  ' '  the  denominations  around  us. ' ' 

Under  Rev.  Mechling' s  ministry  the  congregation  gradually 
increased.  He  baptized  many  children  and  confirmed  quite  a 
goodly  number  of  young  people.  At  a  few  of  the  communion 
services  as  many  as  from  40  to  48  communed.  One  other  hind- 
rance in  the  way  was  the  language  question.  The  services  were 
all,  or  nearly  all,  in  the  German  language.  One  or  two  services 
in  a  year  in  English  did  not  avail  much. 

In  1848  Rev.  Mechling  resigned  the  churches  in  the  Valley 
as  he  had  accepted  a  call  to  the  Greensburg  parish.  Rev.  J.  J. 
Sutter  succeeded  him  and  was  pastor  for  one  year  when  he  re- 
signed and  returned  to  Ohio.  He  was  too  German  for  this 
parish. 

In  thespring  of  1850  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Focht,  of  the  Alle- 
gheny Synod,  was  called  by  the  churches  of  the  Ligonier  Valley 
and  became  pastor  of  this  congregation  in  connection  with  the  rest. 
He  took  hold  of  the  work  in  earnest  and  in  a  truly  Christian 
spirit,  and  did  good  service  in  this  field.  Through  his  efforts  an 
English  constitution  was  adopted  on  the  29th  November,  1851, 
and  became  the  law  of  the  congregation.  He  felt  that  something 
must  be  done  to  counteract  sectarian  influence  and  restore 
order  and  peace  in  his  own  church,  for  his  members  had  imbibed 
some  of  the  fanatical  notions,  and  used  some  of  the  high  pressure 
measures  that  were  in  vogue  in  the  community.    Accordingly,  at 


132  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

his  recommendation,  certain  rules  and  regfulations  were  adopted 
by  the  church  council,  according  to  which  all  the  prayer  meetings 
in  the  congregation  were  to  be  conducted.  A  leader  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  council  and  he  was  instructed  how  to  conduct  the 
services,  and  was  strictly  enjoined  to  hold  L,utheran  and  not 
mixed  prayer  meetings,  and  was  required  to  "conduct  all  things 
decently  and  in  order."  He  was  not  to  allow  loud  and  indis- 
criminate amens,  clapping  of  hands  and  shouting  in  the  prayer 
meeting.  This  is  evidence  as  to  what  the  state  of  religion  was 
in  Saltlick  township  when  Rev.  Focht  became  pastor  of  Good 
Hope  church.  He  did  faithful  work  and  added  a  number  of 
members  to  the  congregation,  so  that  at  the  end  of  his  pastorate 
of  three  years  it  numbered  68. 

Rev.  Wm.  H.  Wynn  became  pastor  of  the  Donegal  parish 
after  Rev.  Focht  resigned,  and  served  this  congregation  for 
two  years,  but  he  has  left  no  records  of  his  ministerial  acts. 

In  1859  Rev.  George  Gaumer  became  pastor  and  served  for 
a  period  of  1 2  years.  He  held  his  first  communion  service  May 
3Cth,  in  which  25  persons  participated.  It  is  always  a  pleasure 
to  follow  the  records  of  this  dear  brother,  who  is  now  gone  to  his 
reward;  they  are  always  legible  and  reliable.  He  ministered  to 
this  congregation  all  these  years  in  all  earnestness  and  fidelity. 
During  his  pastorate  he  baptized  28  children  and  added  a  number 
of  adults  to  the  membership  of  the  congregation.  The  highest 
number  present  at  any  one  communion  service  was  40,  and 
the  membership,  when  he  resigned,  was  reported  as  45.  In 
April,  1868,  he  resigned  this  parish  and  accepted  a  call  to 
Medina,  Ohio. 

During  the  year  1868,  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  of  Manor,  Pa.,  serv-ed 
this  congregation.  He  regularly  preached  the  word  and  admin- 
istered the  holy  communion  twice. 

In  1869  Rev.  John  Welfley  was  called  and  became  pastor  of 
this  parish.  Twenty  persons  attended  the  Holy  Communion  on 
the  first  occasion  of  its  celebration  by  him,  in  May,  1869.  His 
ministry  covered  a  period  of  six  years,  during  which  he  faithfully 
performed  the  duties  of  a  Christian  pastor.  He  baptized  11 
children  and  added  a  few  members  by  the  rite  of  confirmation, 


GOOD  HOPE  OR  BACK  CREEK  CHURCH.         1 33 

and  at  the  time  of  his  resignation  the  membership  was  about  the 
same  it  was  when  he  took  charge.  He  resigned  in  1875  and 
accepted  a  call  from  a  congregation  in  Ohio. 

In  the  summer  of  1876  Rev.  David  Karhart  became  the  suc- 
cessor of  Rev.  Welfley  and  was  pastor  for  seven  years.  In  1879 
he  began  to  discuss  with  the  people  the  need  of  a  new  church 
edifice,  as  the  old  log  church  was  no  longer  fit  for  use,  but  it 
took  several  years  to  get  the  people  into  a  proper  frame  of  mind 
for  the  building  of  a  new  church.  The  congregation  had  been 
living  at  a  poor,  dying  rate  for  so  many  years  that  they  did  not 
think  it  worth  while  to  attempt  the  buildmg  of  a  new  church, 
but  Father  Earhart  finally  got  them  aroused  and  they  resolved 
to  build.  A  building  committee  was  accordingly  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  Rev.  David  Earhart,  George  Dumbauld,  Ira  Immel 
and  L.  C.  Miller. 

The  old  property  was  sold,  as  we  noted  already,  and  a  site 
for  a  church  was  donated  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Sparks  at  Indian  Head, 
half  a  mile  south  of  the  old  church.  Subscriptions  were 
solicited  by  Father  Earhart ;  the  contract  was  let  by  the  com- 
mittee, and  on  the  24th  of  June,  1882,  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  by  the  pastor  with  appropriate  services.  The  church  was 
completed  during  the  year  1882,  but  was  not  dedicated  until 
May  20,  1883,  Rev.  W.  A.  C.  Muller  assisting  the  pastor  on  this 
interesting  occasion.  It  is  a  plain  frame  building,  32x48  feet, 
substantially  built  and  plainly  and  neatly  furnished — costing 
about  $1,400. 

The  congregation  is  no  longer  "union,"  but  is  now  entirely 
Lutheran.  The  old  church,  it  vnll  be  remembered,  was  a  union 
church,  and  the  congregation  was  union  until  1851,  when  the 
English  constitution  was  adopted  under  Rev.  Focht,  as  already 
noted.  The  last  Reformed  minister  who  served  this  congrega- 
tion was  the  Rev.  Father  Voight  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  who  resigned 
about  1863  on  account  of  age  and  failing  health. 

The  Reformed  interest  gradually  died  out  and  it  required 
heroic  efforts  on  the  part  of  our  pastors,  and  a  few  faithful  mem- 
bers to  preserve  our  Lutheran  organization  in  the  presence  of  the 


134  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

storm}^  sectarian  influence  that  was  brought  to  bear  on  our  people, 
especially  the  children  and  young  people. 

In  1883  Rev.  David  Earhart  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to 
Crooked  Creek  parish.  After  his  resignation  -there  was  a 
vacancy  in  the  pastorate.  It  was  supplied  during  this  long 
period  by  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz  and  several  students  from  Mt.  Airy 
seminary,  Philadelphia. 

In  the  spring  of  1885  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  of  the  West 
Virginia  Synod,  accepted  a  call  to  this  parish.  He  served 
Good  Hope  church  in  connection  with  the  other  congregations 
of  the  parish  for  more  than  two  years.  He  resigned  in  1887. 
In  the  spring  of  1888  Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer  of  Somerset  county, 
accepted  a  call  and  became  the  successor  of  Rev.  Rosenbaum. 
At  the  first  communion  service  held  by  him  in  this  church  there 
were  27  persons  present,  and  at  the  next  communion  37 
participated.  He  ministered  to  this  church  for  about  six  years, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  county.  Pa. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Kline  succeeded  him  and  continued  to  labor  for  one 
year  when  his  health  failed  and  he  was  compelled  to  give  up  the 
ministery.  In  1895  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord  was  called  to  become 
pastor,  and  served  this  congregation  a  little  over  two  years.  He 
served  Good  Hope  faithfully  in  connection  with  the  rest  of  the 
congregations  of  the  parish.  He  resigned  January  ist,  1898,  to 
accept  a  call  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael  became  his 
successor.  He  took  charge  of  this  church  in  February,  1898,  and 
served  for  three  years.  January,  1901,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
Duluth,  Minn.  He  has  reported  tour  infant  baptisms  and 
eighteen  additions  to  the  communicant  membership,  and  a  loss 
of  three  by  death,  leaving  the  present   membership  50. 

On  the  nth  of  August,  1901,  Rev.  J.  Osgood  Glenn  of  Mt. 
Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  was  elected  pastor.  He  accepted 
and  entered  on  his  work  at  once,  and  is  now  the  pastor  of  Done- 
gal parish,  and  is  heartily  commended  by  us  to  Good  Hope 
congregation. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  present  church  council. 
Jacob  Immel,  J.  M.  Snyder,  and  J.  A.  Dumbauld;  Rev.  Joseph 
O.  Glenn,  pastor  and  ex-officio  chairman  of  council. 


GOOD  HOPE  OR  BACK  CREEK  CHURCH.  1 35 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  : — Rev.  John  M,  Steck, 
1792-1797;  Rev.  F.  H.  Lange,  1797-1814  ;  Revs.  J.  Rebenard,  and 
M.  J.  Steck,  1814-1826  ;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1826-1848  Rev.  J. 
J.  Sutter,  1848-1849;  Rev.  J.  R.  Focht,  1850-1853;  Rev.  Wm.  H. 
Wynn,  1854-1856;  Rev.  George  Gaumer,  1856-1868;  Rev,  J.  S. 
Fink,  supply  1868-1869  ;  Rev.  John  Welfiey,  1869-1875;  Rev. 
David  Earhart'  1876-1882  ;  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz,  1883-1884;  Rev. 
Mayne,  1884-1885  ;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  1885-1888  ;  Rev. 
Samuel  Stouffer,  1 888- 1894  ;  Rev.  J.  H.Kline,  1894- 1895;  Rev. 
J.  A.  Boord,  1895- 1898;  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael,  1898-1901  ;  Rev. 
Joseph  Osgood  Glenn,  1901  to  the  present  time. 


X.     MOUNT    ZION    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 

CHURCH,     DONEGAL    TOWNSHIP, 

WESTMORELAND   CO.,    PA. 

This  church  appears  to  have  been  organized  soon  after  Good 
Hope  church.  Its  baptismal  record  dates  back  to  1792,  only  four 
years  later  than  the  earliest  record  of  that  church. 

The  first  communion  service,  of  which  we  have  any  record, 
was  held  in  "Back  Creek  Church,"  on  the  23rd  of  June,  1795,  in 
which  members  of  both  these  congregations  united.  This  is  posi- 
tive evidence  that  this  congregation  then  existed.  It  was  then 
known  as  the  "Four  Mile  Run  Church."  It  was  called  by  that 
name  no  doubt  because  the  people  of  the  Four  Mile  Run  settlement 
made  up  much  of  its  membership,  or,  perhaps,  because  the 
church  was  built  at  the  head  waters  of  Four  Mile  Run  creek.  A 
brief  notice  of  this  settlement  will  show  whence  these  people 
came,  and  how  they  suffered  after  the}^  had  settled  here. 

The  Ligonier  Valley  settlements  were  among  the  first  in  the 
county.  Brandt's,  in  the  lower  end  of  the  valley,  near  Ligonier 
which  is  referred  to  in  the  history  of  the  Ligonier  congregation, 
is  quite  old,  and  the  Four  Mile  Run  settlement  in  Donegal 
township  is  about   as   old.     Quite  interesting,    as  well  as  touch- 


136  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

ing,  reminiscences,  are  recalled  in  studying  the  history  and  devel- 
opment of  this  country. 

The  early  settlements  were  generally  along  the  military  road 
and  near  forts.  The  Harmans,  Hays,  Palmers,  Barrons,  Barkleys 
Williamses  and  others,  are  among  the  prominent  names  of  this 
community.  They  settled  in  this  Valley  from  1767  to  1777. 
The  first  settler  was  Andrew  Harman,  who  came  from  Germany. 
He  was  here  almost  alone  for  several  years.  It  is  said  that  there 
were  times  when  he  would  not  see  a  white  person  for  a  whole 
year  except  his  own  family.  He  got  along  very  well  with  the 
natives  for  some  time,  but  during  one  of  those  Indian  raids  which 
were  not  unfrequent  in  those  early  times,  he  was  killed,  with  sev- 
eral others,  near  Fort  Williams,  the  principal  fort  on  Four 
Mile  Run,  situated  about  two  miles  east  of  Donegal.  Not 
long  after  his  death  two  of  his  sons,  the  oldest  only  14  years  old, 
were  carried  way  to  Canada  by  a  band  of  Indians.  The  younger 
brother  died  in  a  few  months,  but  Andrew,  the  elder,  lived 
through  it  all.  He  was  set  free  after  several  years,  or  rather,  was 
sold  for  a  bottle  of  rum  to  an  Englishman,  who  set  him  free. 
He  returned  home  to  the  great  joy  of  his  mother.  He  used  to 
tell  of  his  checkered  experience  among  the  Indians.  Another 
boy  whose  name  was  Jacob  Nicely,  son  of  Adam  Nicely,  was 
also  carried  away  ;  but  he  never  returned.  He  soon  fell  into 
the  ways  of  Indian  life  and  preferred  to  stay  with  the  natives. 
Robert  Campbell  and  Charles  Clifford,  who  were  held  for  a  time 
by  the  Indians,  made  their  escape  and  returned.  The  people  of 
Four  Mile  Run  used  to  point  to  a  historic  wall,  not  far  from 
Fort  Williams,  which  was  quite  a  curiosity  in  those  early  days, 
the  traces  of  which  are  not  yet  entirely  obliterated. 

This  community  was  German,  and  largely  Lutheran,  with 
a  few  Reformed  people.  A  congregation  was  organized  in  this 
community,  and  a  church  built  near  the  head  waters  of  Four 
Mile  Run  creek  on  the  McElvain  farm,  a  short  distance  east  of 
Donegal.  It  was  built  of  hewn  logs,  near  the  close  of  the  nine- 
teenth century.  It  was  a  two  story  church,  built  after  the 
pattern  of  the  churches  of  that  time,  with  a  gallery  and  a    high 


L^ 

1 

BfcT' 

1  ^^^M 

^^^^^HRHlra,Vi^           1 

fl 

^^B^^  J 

^M 

^^■^H 

B 

^^^^kT^^^H^^^^I 

H 

■i^^HBl!Grv!^t<K'taH^^^HH 

I^VJIH 

GKO.  J.  MEXEIl 


W.  YIESLIiV 


GEO.  E.  TITZEL 


.TOSErH  O.  ULENN 


^J^*,^,/Vi^^♦^Xty  ^. 


,/ 


^-4^>C, 


-/■v^. 


NLW  STANTON  I'AK?ONA(iK. 


wf^ 


\ 


i ,' 


\\      \    \'    y    -c- 


HAROLD'S  CHURCH  (OLD) 


HARKOLDS  clirKcII   (..NKWj 


MOUNT   ZION   OR    FOUR   MILE   RUN   CHURCH.  1 37 

pulpit,  and  was  very  plain  in  all  its  appointments.  It  had 
grown  to  be  a  very  old  church  before  it  was  replaced  by  a  new 
one,  in  1837.  Here  the  fathers  of  our  church  worshipped  for 
many  years.  But  they  did  not  wait  until  they  could  build  a 
church  before  they  began  to  worship  God.  They  worshipped  in 
private  houses  and  in  barns  as  well  as  in  forts  and  block  houses. 
As  long  as  they  were  without  a  minister  they  would  choose  one 
of  their  number  to  conduct  the  services.  As  soon  as  a  minister 
could  be  secured  they  met  together  and  resolved  to  organize 
themselve  into  a  Christian  congregation.  Beyond  electing 
officers  and  chosing  a  minister  they  gave  themselves  no  special 
concern  about  a  constitution  or  charter.  We  have  called  this  a 
provisional  organization.  This  is  the  way  we  think  the  fathers 
did,  and  this  may  be  the  reason  that  we  find  no  constitutions 
nor  history  of  the  organization  of  those  early  churches. 

Revs.  J.  M.  Steck  and  John  Stouch  were  bishops  in  those 
primitive  times  in  Westmoreland  and  Fayette  counties  and  adja- 
cent parts,  who  gave  direction  and  had  general  oversight  of  the 
work.  They  did  much  work  themselves,  for  they  were  inces- 
sant in  their  labors,  but  they  also  gave  direction  to  the  work  of 
others. 

Rev.  Lange,  who  was  pastor  of  the  Good  Hope  church,  also 
served  the  Four  Mile  Run  church,  as  Mt.  Zion  was  then  called, 
and  Rev.  Giesse  preached  for  the  Reformed  people.  Rev.  I^ange 
served  these  churches  for  about  16  years,  from  1797  to  1813. 
The  Reformed  congregation  had  two  ministers  during  this  period, 
namely.  Revs.  Reiche  and  Giesse. 

During  the  years  between  1814  and  1826  these  congregations 
were  under  the  oversight  of  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  and  were  supplied 
with  as  much  regularity  as  circumstances  permitted,  but  suffered 
much  from  vacancies.  The  ministers  of  Jacob's  Church,  Fayette 
county,  rendered  some  assistance,  as  we  have  found  the  name, 
Rebenard,  and  others  in  the  records  of  these  churches.  These 
were  all  missionaries  and  traveled  many  miles  to  reach  these  set- 
tlements. We  know  some  traveled  hundreds  of  miles  every 
month. 


138  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

The  people  in  the  Valley  had  to  pass  through  the  same 
trials,  meet  the  same  dangers  and  bear  the  same  burdens  that 
were  the  common  lot  of  our  early  settlers  elsewhere.  They 
passed  through  a  series  of  Indian  wars,  for  it  will  not  be  forgot- 
ten how  the  natives  loved  the  Valley  and  the  Laurel  Hill,  for  it 
was  good  hunting  ground  and  they  clave  to  it.  We  have  heard 
marvelous  Indian  stories  from  some  of  the  citizens  of  Ligonier 
Valley  and  Laurel  Hill. 

The  War  of  Independence  and  the  War  of  1812  imposed 
new  and  heavy  burdens  upon  them,  and  they  did  not  even  escape 
from  the  disturbance  that  the  Whiskj^  Insurrection  made  in 
Western  Pennsylvania.  In  these  years  which  tried  their  ability  t® 
do,  as  well  as  their  capacity  to  suffer,  civilization  advanced  slowly 
and  the  church  made  little  progress. 

When  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  took  charge  of  this  congrega- 
tion, in  1826,  he  found  only  a  small  membership.  At  the  first 
celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion,  which  was  held  on  the  2gth 
of  January,  1825,  only  21  persons  were  present.  During  that 
year  37  members  were  added  by  the  rite  of  confirmation.  He 
ministered  regularly  in  word  and  sacrament,  preaching  the  for- 
mer every  four  weeks  and  administering  the  latter  twice  a  }^ear, 
and  performed  many  other  ordinary   ministerial  acts. 

He  held  catechetical  instruction  and  had  confirmation  every 
two  years.  We  are  of  the  opinion  that  those  early  ministers  did 
more  through  catechising  of  the  young  than  is  done  now  or  can 
be  done  under  present  existing  circumstances.  They  were  good 
catechists.  We  shall  never  forget  how  faithfully  Father  Mech- 
ling instructed  his  catechetical  classes.  He  had  the  whole  mat- 
ter, so  to  speak,  at  his  tongue's  end  and  at  his  finger  tips. 

He  could  quote  or  point  to  any  Scripture  passage  that  was 
called  for  as  a  proof  text,  and  the  enthusiasm  and  earnestness 
which  he  manifested,  inspired  the  class,  in  a  large  measure,  with 
the  same  spirit.  The  people  in  that  day  laid  more  stress  on  the 
instructions  given  and  the  lessons  learned  in  the  catechetical  class 
than  they  do  now.  It  would  be  simply  impossible  to  hold  our 
young  people  for  the  length  of  time  that  those  early  fathers  held 
their  classes.     In  these  times  we  want  every    thing   abbreviated. 


MOUNT  ZION,  OR  FOUR  MII.B  RUN  CHURCH.  1 39 

We  want  short  sermons,  short  prayers,  short  lectures,  short  ser- 
vices and,  in  some  cases,  it  is  short  teaching  and  short  reHgion  too. 
Rev.  Mechhng  faithfully  continued  his  work  year  by  year  ac- 
cording to  plan  indicated,  and  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  pros- 
pered in  his  hands.  He  added  man}^  to  the  church  of  such  as 
were  in  a  condition  to  be  saved.  When  the  congregation  had 
increased  in  membership  and  means  there  was  a  strong  desire  on 
the  part  of  not  a  few  of  the  leading  members  for  better  church 
accommodations.  This  idea  soon  took  deep  root,  and  early  in 
1837,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  build. 

Adam  Byerly,  a  faithful  member  of  the  congregation,  do- 
nated a  lot  of  ground  on  the  hill  above  the  town  of  Donegal  as 
a  site  for  a  church,  which  gift  was  thankfully  accepted.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  the  old  church  stood  one  mile  east  of  Done- 
gal on  the  McElvain  farm.  It  was  decided  to  build  the  new 
church  in  the  town,  on  the  lot  kindly  donated  by  Mr.  Byerly. 
Peter  Gay,  Esq.,  Jacob  Milhoff  and  Adam  Palmer  were  appoint- 
ed a  building  committee.  Subscriptions  were  solicited,  the  plan 
of  a  church  secured  and  adopted,  and  contracts  were  let  for  its 
erection.  The  work  was  carried  forward  as  fast  as  circumstances 
permitted.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  in  mid-summer  and  the 
church  was  completed  by  fall,  and  was  solemnly  consecrated  to 
the  worship  of    God   by    the    pastors    Mechling    and    Voight. 

The  church  was  a  plain  brick  building  44x50  feet  in  size. 
It  was  substantially  built,  but  very  plainly  finished  and  very 
modestly  furnished.  It  served  the  congregation  very  well  for 
many  years.  A  new  interest  was  awakened  and  encouraging 
progress  made  in  the  congregation  after  the  opening  of  the  new 
church,  but  there  was  one  drawback,  which  developed  a  little 
later.  The  older  members  held  on  too  long  to  the  German  lan- 
guage   to  the  hindrance  of  the  growth  of  the  congregation. 

As  elsewhere  noted,  in  1848  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  became 
pastor  of  the  Greensburg  parish  and  resigned  the  churches  in  the 
Valley.  During  his  pastorate  of  22  years  he  preached  over  400 
sermons,  blessed  404  children  in  holy  baptism,  consecrated  218 
persons  to  full  communion  in  the  church  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  and  prayer  in  confirmation. 


140  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

In  1S4S  Rev.  J.  J.  Suter  became  liis  successor,  but  resigned 
at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  because  he  could  not  meet  the  wants 
of  the  field  in  its  increasing  need  for  Enghsh  services. 

Rev.  Wm.  Uhl  of  Somerset,  Pa.,  was  the  temporary  pastor 
of  this  congregation  for  one  year,  He  held  regular  service  on 
every  alternate  Sunday,  and  two  communion  services  during  the 
year.  He  baptized  14  children,  instructed  and  confirmed  15 
young  persons,  among  whom  was  one  who  became  a   minister. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Focht  of  the  Alle- 
gheny Synod,  became  pastor  of  the  churches  of  the  I^igonier 
Valley,  which  were  now  constituted  a  parish.  He  entered  on  his 
work  with  enthusiasm  and  earnestness  and  pursued  it  with  fidel- 
ity. He  conducted  service  here  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and 
attended  to  all  ministerial  duties. 

In  1 85 1  he  prepared  an  English  constitution,  which  was 
considered  and  adopted,  in  which  the  name  of  Mount  Zion 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church  was  given  to  this  congregation, 
and  a  new  mode  of  administration  was  inaugurated.  He  con- 
tinued his  pastoral  labors  till  September,  1853,  when  he  resigned 
and  accepted  a  call  to  a  church  in  the  Maryland  Synod,  and 
a  vacancy  for  several  months  ensued. 

In  January,  1854,  Rev.  W.  H.  Wynn,  of  the  Theological 
Seminary,  Springfield,  O.,  received  ad  interim  license  from  the 
President  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  on  the  ist  of  February  he 
accepted  a  call  from  the  Donegal  parish  and  served  it  for  two 
years.  He  rendered  faithful  and  acceptable  service,  but  in  Feb- 
ruary ,1856,  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  a  church  in  a  Western 
Synod. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  Rev.  Geo.  Gaumer  of  the  English 
Synod  of  Ohio,  accepted  a  call  from  the  Donegal  parish  and 
was  installed  in  the  summer  of  the  same  year.  On  the  ist  of 
September  he  held  his  first  communion  service  in  which  83  persons 
participated.  He  conducted  services  in  this  church  on  every 
alternate  Sunday  and  ministered  regularly  and  faithfully  to  these 
people  for  a  period  of  twelve  years.  The  membership  of  the  con- 
gregation gradually  increased  year  by  year,  so  that  in  the  later 
years  of  his  pastorate  over  140  persons  were  present  at   commun- 


MOUNT   ZION   OR   FOUR   MILE    RUN   CHURCH.  141 

ion  services.  He  has  given  the  following  parochial  report  during 
his  ministry  here  :  He  baptized  178  children,  confirmed  over 
100  adults  and  the  communicant  membership  was  212  at 
the  close  of  his  pastorate.  During  this  time,  not  a  few  of  the 
fathers  and  mothers  fell  asleep,  whose  bodies  he  laid  away  to 
await  the  resurrection  on  the  great  day. 

In  the  spring  of  1868  he  was  called  to  a  parish  in  Medina 
county,  Ohio,  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  of  Manor,  Pa.,  supplied  the 
Donegal  parish  for  one  year.  Rev.  John  Welfley,  of  Maysille 
and  Boiling  Springs  parish  in  Armstrong  county,  was  called  in 
December,  1868,  accepted  the  call  on  the  ist  of  January,  I869  and 
on  the  20th  of  May  he  was  installed  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Roth,  of 
Pittsburg.  He  served  this  congregation  faithfully  for  six  years, 
and  in  the  same  order  as  his  predecessor  had  done,  preaching  the 
word  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  and  conducting  communion  ser- 
vices twice  a  year.  He  was  a  conscientious  pastor,  who  per- 
formed all  necessary  ministerial  acta  and  pastoral  duties  with 
fidelity.  During  his  pastorate  the  parsonage  was  built,  which 
was  a  very  praiseworthy  undertaking,  and  the  lot  on  the  west 
side  of  it,  which  was  owned  by  Rev.  Gaumer,  was  purchased  for 
the  use  of  the  congregation. 

On  the  ist  of  May,  1875,  pastor  Welfley  resigned  the  Donegal 
parish,  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Bowerston  parish,  in  Ohio. 
After  his  resignation  the  parish  was  vacant  more  than  a  year. 
In  July,  1876,  Rev.  David  Earhart  became  pastor.  He  held 
communion  service  in  this  congregation  on  the  28th  of  Sep- 
tember in  which  88  persons  participated.  He  began  work 
in  earnest  endeavoring  first  to  gather  the  scattered  sheep  that  had 
strayed  away  during  the  long  vacancy,  and  then  to  do  some 
aggressive  work. 

Early  in  1877  he  prepared  and  presented  to  the  congrega- 
tion a  plan  for  repairing  and  remodeling  the  old  church,  which 
was  adopted,  and  the  work  was  begun  at  once.  It  was  thorough- 
ly repaired,  and,  in  a  measure,  modernized.  The  roof,  the  ceiling 
and  windows  were  made  gothic;  and  the  interior  was  renewed 
and  made  more  convenient   and    comfortable,  as    well   as  more 


142  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

churchly.  A  bell  was  placed  in  the  cupola  and  the  auditorium 
was  handsomely  finished.  The  whole  cost  of  these  improve- 
ments was  about  $1,200,  which,  through  the  energy  of  Rev. 
Earhart,  was  fully  provided  for.  The  church  was  rededicated  on 
the  4th  of  November,  1877,  with  appropriate  services,  under  the 
name  of  Mount  Zion  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church   of    Donegal. 

The  constitution  which  Rev.  Focht  had  prepared  was  some- 
what amended  and  readopted.  Rev.  Earhart  showed  the  same 
activity  in  other  parts  of  the  parish  that  he  manifested  here.  He 
organized  a  new  congregation  and  built  two  new  churches. 
He  continued  his  ministry  in  this  parish  till  July  1882,  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Crooked  Greek  parish,  in  Arm- 
strong county.  He  reported  44  infant  baptisms,  large  additions 
by  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer,  and  a  communicant  mem- 
bership, at  the  close  of  his  pastorate,  of  209. 

A  long  vacancy  followed  his  resignation,  during  which  the 
congregation  was  supplied  by  several  ministers,  and  also  by  stu- 
dents from  the  Seminary  at  Philadelphia.  In  the  spring  of  1885 
Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  of  che  West  Virginia  Synod,  was  called 
and  entered  at  once  on  his  duties,  and  served  for  three  years.  He 
held  his  first  communion  service  in  this  church  on  the  1 4th  of 
June.  He  was  assisted  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  who  also  install- 
ed him  at  that  time.  Rev.  Rosenbaum  did  good  work  in  this 
parish,  and  his  successes  were  highly  appreciated,  but  his  pastor- 
ate was  too  short  to  do  effective  work  in  the  permanent  upbuild- 
ing of  this  congregation. 

In  July  1888  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Crook- 
ed Creek  parish  and  took  charge  of  that  new  field  on  the  ist  of 
August.  He  has  made  the  following  report  of  ministerial  acts: 
25  baptisms,  48  confirmations  and  8  additions  by  letters  of  trans- 
fer, and  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate  there  was  a  communicant 
membership  of  178.  Soon  after  his  resignation  Rev.  Samuel 
Stouffer,  of  the  Allegheny  Synod,  became  his  successor.  At  the 
first  communion  service  held  by  him,  on  the  24th  of  November, 
65  persons  communed.  At  the  next  communion  in  May  1889 
1 1 1  were  present.  Rev.  Stouffer  pursued  his  work  in  the  same 
order  that  his  predecessor  had  done,  conducting  services  in   this 


MOUNT    ZION   OR   FOUR   MILK   RUN   CHURCH.  143 

church  on    every  alternate    Sunday,    serving    the   other    three 
churches  of  the  parish  as  had  been  customary. 

He  served  this  congregation  faithfully,  and  with  a  fair  meas- 
ure of  success,  till  April  1894,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call 
from  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  county.  He  has  reported  22  in- 
fant baptism,  27  additions  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  10  by 
letters  of  transfer. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Kline  became  Rev.  Stouffer's  successor  on  the 
first  of  June  1894,  and  labored  here  for  one  year,  when  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  failing  health  and  retired  from 
the  ministry. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1895,  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord,  of 
Fayette  county,  accepted  a  call  to  the  Donegal  parish  and  was 
installed  on  the  26th  of  April,  1896.  by  Rev.  T.  B.  Roth,  D.  D. 
He  did  a  good  work  in  this  congregation,  in  the  building  of  a 
new  church,  as  well  as  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  congregation. 
He  did  not  add  many  new  members,  but  he  awakened  a  new 
life  in  the  old  members,  and  so  revived  the  old  congregation  that 
they  were  willing  to  undertake  the  building  of  a  new  church. 
Soon  after  he  was  installed  a  beginning  was  made  to  build  a  new 
church.  A  plan  was  prepared  by  Mr.  George  Winkler,  and 
subscriptions  were  solicited. 

The  following  named  persons  were  appointed  as  a  build- 
ing committee:  Martin  J.  Winkler,  B.  F.  Schaffer  and  F.  N. 
Barron,  The  contract  for  the  building  of  the  church  was  let  to 
Henry  Yothers  and  Samuel  Nichols  in  the  spring  of  1896,  and 
on  the  first  Sunday  after  Trinity  the  corner  stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  services.  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  assisted  the 
pastor  at  these  services. 

The  church  was  finished  in  the  autumn  of  1897,  and  on  the 
1 8th  of  October  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God,  with  joy- 
ous and  impressive  services.  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzmann  and  PhiHp 
Doerr  assisted  the  pastor.  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord,  on  this  occasion. 
Rev.  Kunzmann  preached  the  dedication  sermon  and  Rev. 
Doerr  assisted  in  the  act  of  consecration.  The  church  is  a 
handsome  brick  building,  gothic  in  the  style  of  its  architecture, 
cruciform   in  design,  and  is  40x59  feet  in  size,  with  a  tower 


144  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

at  the  northwest  comer  70  feet  high.  It  is  built  on  the  old  site, 
neatly  finished  and  well  furnished.  The  entire  cost  of  the  build- 
ing, including  furniture,  was  upward  of  $3,500. 

The  building  of  this  church  reflects  great  credit  on  all  who 
took  part  in  it.  The  pastor  and  building  committee  are  to  be 
congratulated  on  the  successful  manner  in  which  it  has  been 
built.  It  also  was  the  commencement  of  an  important  epoch  in 
the  history  of  this  congregation,  for  from  this  time  it  took  a  new 
departure.  The  salary  of  the  pastor  has  been  increased  and  the 
contributions  to  general  benevolence  more  than  doubled. 
Rev.  Boord  resigned  the  Donegal  parish  Januaiy  i,  1S88,  to  ac- 
cept a  call  from  Bridgewater,  Nova  Scotia.  At  the  close  of  his 
pastorate  of  two  years  and  two  months  he  reported  the  following 
data:  6  infant  baptisms,  15  persons  added  to  the  communicant 
membership,  and  a  total  membership  of  209. 

After  his  resignation  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael  was  unanimously 
elected,  and  took  charge  on  the  ist  of  February,  1898.  He  was 
installed  by  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  of  Greensburg,  on 
the  15th  of  November,  He  served  this  congregation  in  a  most 
acceptable  manner  for  three  years,  and  greatly  strengthened  it. 
He  conducted  services  regularly  in  this  church  on  every  Sun- 
day, and  in  the  other  two  churches  on  every  alternate  Sunday. 
In  1899  the  parish  increased  his  salary  one  hundred  dollars,  and 
in  1900  the  parsonage  was  repaired  at  considerable  cost. 

Last  winter  ( 1 900)  when  the  call  came  to  him  from  the 
Home  Mission  committee  to  take  charge  of  a  mission  an  addition- 
al hundred  dollars  was  added  to  his  salary,  for  the  people  were 
unwilling  to  let  him  go,  but,  having  received  a  most  urgent  call 
from  the  Home  Mission  Board,  after  mature  and  prayerful  delib- 
eration, he  accepted  the  same  and  resigned  this  parish  on  the  ist 
of  February,  against  the  earnest  protest  of  the  people.  He  moved 
to  Duluth,  Minn.,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  month  and  began 
work  in  his  new  field  on  the  ist  of  March. 

The  church  records  show  that  the  following  ministerial  acts 
were  performed  by  Rev.  Michael  during  his  pastorate  in  this  con- 
gregation: 34  infant  baptisms,  40  confirmations,  8  restorations, 
6  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  5  dismissions  and  7  deaths  of 


MOUNT  ZION,  OR  FOUR  MILE  RUN  CHURCH.  I45 

members  of   the  congregation   and  the  present  membership  255. 

On  the  2nd  of  August,  1901,  Rev.  Joseph  Osgood  Glenn, 
a  recent  graduate  of  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  was 
elected  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael.  He  accepted 
the  call  and  entered  on  his  pastoral  work  immediately.  He  was 
installed  on  the  17th  of  November  by  Rev.  Jesse  Dunn,  of  Pleas- 
ant Unit}'.  This  congregation  is  now  about  109  years  old  and 
has  had  18  pastors,  including  the  present  one.  It  is  now  oc- 
cupying the  third  church  building.  In  the  first  two  the  Re- 
formed people  owned  a  small  interest.  Their  membership  was 
always  small  and  did  not  increase,  as  they  really  had  no  distinct 
or  effective  organization.  Having  little  hope  of  building  up  or 
maintaining  a  congregation  their  material  was  gradually  absorbed 
by  the  I,utheran  congregation,  and  the  Reformed  interest  died 
out.  There  would  be  a  long  list  of  ministerial  acts  if  all  could 
be  reported. 

There  is  a  record  of  1 1 25  baptisms,  831  confirmations  and 
hundreds  have  been  received  otherwise,  and  hundreds  have  been 
gathered  to  their  fathers,  whose  bodies  have  been  laid  away  in 
God's  acre  with  the  benediction  of  the  church  and   her   ministry. 

There  have  been  hindrances  to  the  growth  of  this  con- 
gregation. At  one  time  it  was  the  lack  of  English  services. 
We  do  not  say  that  the  Germans  had  too  much  service  for  those 
who  needed  German,  but  the  English  speaking  people  had  far 
too  little.  In  later  years  the  short  pastorates  and  the  long  va- 
cancies have  been  a  great  hindrance.  Changes  would  not  always 
be  so  damaging,  if  the  vacancy  were  promptly  filled,  but  the 
long  interval,  that  often  follows,  scatters  more  than  the  next 
pastor  can  gather  in  the  same  time.  Other  things  being  equal, 
the  long  pastorates  bring  the  best  results,  and  are  greatly  to  be 
preferred  by  pastor  and  people. 

There  has  been  a  Sunday  School  here  as  long  as  we  can  re- 
member, and  is  now  organized  according  to  the  new  system  of 
Graded  Lessons.  There  are  now  68  scholars  and  8  teachers  and 
the  several  ofiicers,  superintendent,  secretary,  librarian  and  treas- 
urer. A  lyUther  League  was  organized  in  Mt.  Zion  Church  on 
the  24th  of  April,  1898,  which  has  held  regular  meetings,  and  now 


146  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

number  37  members.  Martin  J.  Winkler  is  president.  We  look 
for  much  good  to  come  to  the  young,  and  to  the  church,  from  this 
arm  of  Christian  service. 

The  members  of  the  present  church  council  are:  Rev. 
Joseph  Osgood  Glenn,  pastor  and  exofhcio  president  ;  J.  P. 
Hellein,  Alexander  Crawford,  John  B.  Gerhart  and  William 
Keyser,  elders  ;  C.  H.  Bruner,  J.  D.  Gerhart,  Aaron  Yothers 
and  Reuben  Freeman,  deacons:  Martin  J.  Winkler,  J.  H.  L,ohr 
and  F.  H.   Barron,    trustees: 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  : — Rev.  John  M.  Steck, 
till  1797;  Rev.  F.  H.  Lange,  1797-1814;  Revs.  J.  Rebenard,  and 
M.  J.  Steck,  1814-1826;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1826-1848  Rev.  J. 
J.  Sutter,  1848-1849;  Rev.  Wm.  Uhl,  1849-1850;  Rev.  J.  R. 
Focht,  1850-1853;  Rev.  Wm.  H.Wynn,  1854-^856;  Rev.  George 
Gaumer,  1856-1868 ;  Rev,  J.  S.  Fink,  supply  one  year,  Rev. 
John  Welfley,  1869- 1875  ;  Rev.  David  Earhart,  1876- 1882  ;  Rev. 
J.  P.  Hentz  and  others,  1882-1885  ;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum, 
1885-1888  ;  Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer,  1888-1894  ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Khne, 
1894-1895  ;  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord,  1895- 1898;  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael, 
1898-1901  ;  Rev.  Joseph  Osgood  Glenn,  1901  to  the  present 
time. 


XI.    ST.  JAMES  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH, 
LIGONIER,  WESTMORELAND  COUNTY,  PA. 

Ligonier  is  a  historic  name,  which  has  been  given  to  the 
whole  Valley  lying  between  Laurel  Hill  and  Chestnut  Ridge, 
reaching  from  the  Conamaugh  in  Westmoreland,  to  the  Yough- 
iogheny,  in  Fayette  county,  a  valley  60  miles  long  and  from 
7  to  14  miles  wide.  It  has  many  beautiful  streams  and  many 
fine  springs  of  living  water.  Its  timber  was  originally  of  the 
largest  and  best,  but  is  now  mostly  destroyed  by  the  woodman's 
axe.  It  was  one  of  the  most  famous  hunting  grounds  for  the 
natives  in  Pennsylvania,  and  bears  many  marks  of  its  former  in- 
habitants. There  are  Indian  mounds,  marks  of  Indian  forts,  not 
to  mention  the  countless  arrows  and  smaller  relics  to  be  found. 


ST.    JAMES    CHURCH,    LIGONIER.  I47 

Fort  Ligoiiier  was  built  in  1758,  under  the  direction  of  Col. 
Boquetj  who  named  it  in  honor  of  Sir  John  I,igonier  of  the  Eng- 
lish army  under  whom  he  had  served.  It  was  the  first  stopping 
place  in  what  is  now  Westmoreland  county.  Forts  were  then 
built  of  splic  logs,  about  6  to  8  inches  thick  and  about  12  feet 
long,  set  upright,  closely  joined  together  and  securely  fastened 
on  the  inside  to  timber  and  thus  formed  a  solid  breast  work  often 
called  a  stockade.  They  were  entered  by  strong  doors  swinging 
on  iron  hinges.  A  fort  was  always  furnished  with  arms  and 
manned  with  a  small  company  of  soldiers.  Cabins  were  built  in- 
side the  fort  and  a  place  provided  for  provisions.  The  location 
of  Fort  lyigonier  is  distinctly  marked  and  pointed  out  t  o  this  day, 
and  its  name  is  famous  in  history. 

A  block  house  was  a  large  log  building,  of  heavy  hewn  logs 
notched  so  as  to  make  a  solid  close  wall,  about  t2  feet  high  for 
the  first  story  and  upon  this  a  second  story  was  built  about  6 
feet  high,  projecting  four  feet  over  the  lower  story.  In  this 
upper  story  were  holes  through  which  to  shoot.  Block  houses 
were  built  in  communities  remote  from  forts,  into  which  the  peo- 
ple might  take  refuge  when  sudden  attacks  were  made.  They 
were  temporary  forts.  There  were  several  block  houses  in  the 
Valley. 

The  Brandt  settlement,  where  the  first  church  was  built, 
was  a  German  settlement,  and  quite  as  old  as  the  Four  Mile  Run 
settlement,  of  which  mention  has  been  made,  but  the  exact  date 
of  this  settlement  is  not  a  matter  of  record.  The  Brandts,  Huf- 
nagles,  Detars,  Kelzes,  Markers,  and  Matthews,  were  among  the 
early  settlers.  These  were  followed  by  the  Keffers,  the  Am- 
broses, the  Kuhns  and  others. 

Here,  like  elsewhere,  a  congregation  was  started  as  soon  as 
the  people  were  settled  in  their  simple  plain  homes,  and  a  church 
was  built.  lyike  all  the  first  churches,  it  was  a  rude  log  build- 
ing with  logs  for  seats  and  split  logs  for  a  floor,  and  it  was  simple 
and  primitive  in  all  its  appointments.  It  had  only  one  window 
at  the  first  and  the  pulpit  was  in  one  corner.  The  writer  had 
the  privilege  once  in  his  youth  of  seeing  that  church  and  attend- 
ing services  there.     This  old   log  church  stood  till  1852,  when 


148  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

a  new  brick  church  was  built  in  the  town  of  lyig^onier,  and  the 
congregation  was  moved  to  that  place. 

During  the  time  that  the  congregation  worshipped  in  the 
old  church  the  growth  was  slow.  It  could  not  well  be  otherwise. 
The  people  had  to  endure  all  the  trials  and  privations  that  were 
the  common  lot  of  those  early  pioneers.  ITiey  had  to  clear  off 
the  forest,  tame  the  soil,  and  provide  homes  for  themselves  and 
their  dependants,  as  well  as  to  protect  themselves  against  the  at- 
tacks of  the  wild  beasts  of  the  mountains,  and  the  wild  men  of 
the  Valley. 

We  know  from  history,  as  well  as  from  tradition,  that  this 
Valley  was  a  favorite  resort  for  the  Indians.  Streams  and  places 
have  been  called  for  them.  From  early  youth  we  remember  hear- 
ing the  stories  told  by  the  old  inhabitants  about  the  trials  they 
endured  and  the  dangers  they  had  to  meet,  as  well  as  the  awful 
crimes  committed  by  the  wicked  savages.  They  lived  in  daily 
fear  and  were  always  on  the  lookout  for  danger.  Therefore  they 
always  carried  their  guns  with  them,  wherever  they  went,  to  the 
field  or  to  church. 

This  had  become  such  a  fixed  habit  with  the  men  of  that 
day,  that  it  was  continued  even  after  there  was  no  urgent  neces- 
sity. A  story  is  told  of  one  of  the  members  of  Brandt's  Church 
that  he  went  to  church  on  a  Sunday  with  his  gun  on  his 
shoulder,  as  usua',  and  on  his  way  he  met  a  bear.  He  leveled  his 
rifle  at  bruin  but  the  beast  climed  a  tree,  a  shot  was  fired  at  him, 
and  another,  and  though  severely  wounded  he  did  not  come 
down.  The  man  climed  the  tree  to  bring  him  down,  and  after 
quite  a  struggle  they  both  came  down  together  in  each  others 
embrace,  and  it  was  with  no  little  effort  that  the  man  killed  the 
bear  and  saved  his  own  life.  It  goes  without  saying  that  our 
man   Brandt  was  not  in  time  for  service  that  Sunday  morning. 

When  the  Indian  troubles  were  in  a  great  measure  settled, 
then  came  the  War  of  Independence,  which  laid  heavy  burdens 
upon  the  people.  Not  a  few  even  of  the  members  of  the  church 
were  called  to  do  military  duty  which  imposed  additional  care 
upon  those  who  remained  at  home. 

Then  when  this  trouble  was  over  there  came  the  disturbance 


•ST.  J AIMjES  CHURCH,  UGONlEli.  I49 

called  the  Whisky  Insurrection  caused  by  the  '  'excise  tax"  law, 
which  the  people  considered  an  unjust  discrimination  against 
them.  This  not  only  caused  a  great  excitement,  but  paralyzed 
lausiness,  seriously  affected  the  peace  of  the  -oomanunity,  and 
greatly  hindered  the  work  of  the  church. 

When  the  people  Tiad  recovered  from  the  drain  and  -demand 
made  upon  them  by  all  these  successive  wars  -and  civil  disturb- 
ances, then  <came  the  second  war  with  Hngland,  whixzli  imposed 
new  burdens  and  called  many  of  the  strong  and  active  men  from 
tSieir  homes  aiid  needful  occupations  to  tbe  fidld  of  strife,  and 
the  battles  of  the  Revolution  were  practically  fought  -over  again. 

Under  these  circumstaxices  there  oouW  indeed  not  be  rapid 
growth  in  the  church.  The  wonder  is  that  it  made  any  progress, 
or  that  it  even  existed  at  all.  The  fact  that  the  church  was 
maintained  and  made  some  process,  proves  that  the  fathers  felt  a 
deep  interest  in  it,  and  loved  the  worship  of  God.  They  felt  that 
they  needed  the  means  of  grace  which  the  church  offers,  and  that 
its  power  and  influence  were  indispensable  to  them.  How  many 
are  living  to-day  who  have  no  such  feeling,  and  have  no  sense  of 
tlhe  need  of  the  power  of  divine  grace,  but  boast  that  they  do  not 
have  to  go  to  church.  We  commend  the  piety  and  fidelity  (rf 
those  early  fathers  to  the  children  and  youth  of   this  generation. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  so  few  written  records  of  the 
early  history  of  this  congregation  have  been  preserved  and 
handed  down  to  us,  but  we  think  that  we  are  asserting  the  truth 
when  we  say  that  there  was  a  provisional  organization  here  for 
several  3'ears  before  it  was  made  permant,  just  as  there  was  at 
Good  Hope  and  Four  Mile  Run,  that  the  same  conditions  obtained 
here  that  were  found  there,  that  the  same  missionaries  who  min- 
istered to  those  people,  also  served  the  people  at  Brandt's,  and 
ill  at  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  of  Greensburg,  and  Rev.  John  Stouch 
of  Fayette  county,  who  fully  organized  the  Good  Hope  and 
Four  Mile  Run  churches  between  the  years  of  1893  and  1795,  also 
established  this  church  more  firmly  and  gave  it  a  complete  organ- 
ization. These  two  patriarchs  of  our  church  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania co-operated  in  the  work  of  organizing  congregations,  and 
in  caring  for  the  needs  of  our  church  in  I,igonier  Valley.     Rev. 


150  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Steck  had  general  control,  but  Rev.  Stoiicli  and  other  ministers 
of  Fayette  county,  assisted  in  supplying  the  congregations  in 
this  valley. 

There  have  been  in  all,  so  far  as  we  know,  fourteen  pastors 
in  this  congregation,  not  counting  several  who  served  as  sup- 
plies. The  first  regular  pastor  was  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  who 
properly  organized  the  congregation  and  had  charge  of  it  till 
1S20,  when  Rev.  Jonas  Mecliling  relieved  him.  He  ser\^ed  the 
congregation  during  its  primitive  period  when  every  thing  was 
in  a  crude  state  when  the  people  were  poor,  and  many  burdens 
were  upon  them. 

Both  pastor  and  people  had  to  exercise  great  self  denial  and 
endure  many  trials  and  privations.  He  had  the  care  and  re- 
sponsibility of  providing  for  the  needs  of  this  church,  though  a 
few  other  mir inters  rerdercd  .'orre  assistance.  We  have  fio 
record  of  Father  Steck' s  work,  but  we  can  imagine  what  a  long 
list  of  ministerial  acts  his  work,  during  these  25  years,  would 
make.  How  many  services  he  conducted  how  many  children 
he  baptized;  how  many  young  people  he  confirmed,  and  how 
many  anxious  souls  he  comforted,  and  for  how  mau}^  he  per- 
formed the  last  solemn  rites.  In  1820  he  resigned,  and  installed 
Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  as  his  successor,  who  had  been  a  student 
and  a  parishioner  under  him  in  the  Greensburg congregation.  Rev. 
Mechling  had  just  been  licensed  to  preach  and  therefore  was  only 
beginning  his  ministry  here  in  connection  with  a  few  other 
points.  He  faithfully  ministered  to  this  congregation  in  word 
and  sacrament,  and  his  services  were  also  appreciated  by  the  peo- 
ple. He  held  onlj'  one  service  a  month,  as  was  the  custom  at  that 
time,  and  gave  catechetical  instruction  and  had  confirmation 
once  in  two  or  three  years.  There  was  a  new  interest  awakened 
under  his  ministry  and  souls  were  added  to  the  church  of  such 
as  were  in  condition  to  be  saved.  Mr.  Mechling  was  a  conscien- 
tious and  earnest  man  and  a  faithful  minister  ;  but  as  he  conduc- 
ted his  services  nearly  all  in  the  German  language,  this  was  a 
serious  drawback  to  the  success  of  his  work,  especially  in  the 
closing  years  of  his  pastorate,  as  the  people  were  being  rapidly 
anglicized.     The  fault  was  not  that    the  people   had  too  much 


ST.  JAMS3  CHURCH,   LIGONIER.  15,1 

German  for  those  who  needed  German,  but  that  there  was  no 
EngHsh  for  those  who  needed  English  services. 

As  to  his  work  we  cannot  give  definite  figures,  as  no  record 
has  been  handed  down  to  us,  but  we  know  that  the  people  have 
borne  testimony  to  his  fidelity  and  worth  as  a  man,  and  as  a  min- 
ister. In  1848,  when  on  the  death  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  he 
was  called  to  become  his  successor  in  the  Greensburg  parish,  he 
resigned. 

Donegal,  Back  Creek  and  Brandt's  Church  were  then  con- 
stituted a  parish,  and  called  Rev.  J.  J.  Sutter  as  their  pastor,  who 
served  the  congregation  only  one  year,  when  he  resigned.  There 
was  a  vacancy  of  one  year  after  this  resignation. 

In  1850  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Focht  was  called  and  became  pastor 
of  the  Ligonier  Valle}'  parish.  He  took  up  the  work  with  earn- 
estness and  enthusism,  and  began  a  new  era  in  this  congregation 
by  introducing  English  services  and  changing  the  location  of  the 
church  from  Brandts  to  Ligonier.  He  conducted  most  of  the 
services  in  English,  and  encouraged  the  building  of  a  new  church 
in  the  town  of  Eigonier,  At  his  advice,  a  suitable  church  lot 
was  purchased,  100x198  feet,  from  Mr.  Jacob  Eowry  for  $50. 
on  which  a  new  church  was  built,  which  was  dedicated  on 
the  12th  of  November,  1851,  It  was  a  plain  brick  church,  40x60 
feet,  costing  about  $2,800. 

The  Reformed  had  a  small  interest  in  this  new  church  the 
same  as  they  had  in  the  old  church  at  Brandts.  Rev.  Focht 
reorganized  this  congregation  in  185 1  as  a  German-English  con- 
gregation, with  a  new  constitution  and  charter  under  the  title  of 
St.  James  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  of  Eigonier.  After  its 
new  beginning  in  the  town  it  grew  rapidly.  In  1851  37  persons 
were  added  to  the  communicant  membership  by  confirmation  and 
others  were  added  by  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  Rev.  Focht 
did  a  good  work  during  his  pastorate  of  three  years.  The  con- 
gregation was  largely  increased  in  numbers  and  much  encouraged. 
He  has  recently  been  gathered  to  his  fathers  in  the  Soth  year 
of  his  age. 

He  was  succeeded,  in  1854,  by  Rev.  W.  H.  Wynn,  now 
Professor  W.   H.  Wynn,  D.  D.,  of  Iowa  College,  who  was  pastor 


1^2  COTTFEltENCE  HTISTOirr. 

of  this  parish  for  two  years.     He  was  an  energetic  young-  manv 
whose  services  were  well  received,  and  he  would  have  been  sue- 
efessful   in   this  parish,   but  was  called  to  another  field  before 
he  had  tinie  to-  do  nmch  for  the  pernuanent  upbuilding  of  the 
congregation.     In  1857  Rev.  I.  O.  P.  Baker,  just  from  the  Sem- 
inary at  Coiumbus,  Ohio,  and  a  young  nxan  of  our  own  county,, 
was  called  as  the  successor  of  Kev.  Wynn,  who  served  this  con.- 
gregation  about  two  years.     His  services  were  very  acceptable 
to  both  the  German  and  Eng^i&h  speaking:  members,  for  he  min- 
istered to  them  satisfactorily  in  both  languages  ;  but  his  ministry 
was  too  short  to  do  much  in  thedevelopenjent  of  the  resources  of 
the  congregation.     As  elsewhere  Roted,,  it  pleased   the  Master  to 
call  him  away  on  the  very  threshold  of  a  life  of  usefulness. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  who  was  a  student  of  Columbus 
University,  another  a  young"  man  of  this  community,  succeeded 
Kev.  Baker  in  1859.  As  a  son  of  the  esteemed  former  pastor,  he 
was  received  with  enthusiasm  and  at  once  had  the  fullest  confi- 
dence and  warmest  affections  of  the  people.  He  was  faithful  in 
his  work,  and  diligent  in  looking:  after  the  I^utheran  people  and 
others  who  had  no  church  connections.  He  conducted  services 
regularly  in  Ligonier  every  two  weeks,  and  at  other  points  in  the 
community  where  there  were  people  who  needed  religious  ser\aces. 

Though  he  lived  a  long  distance  from  Ligonier  he  never  ne- 
glected a  pastoral  dutJ^  His  conduct  was  especially  commended 
during  the  time  of  a  severe  epidemic,  when  he  proved  his  courage 
and  fidelity  by  looking  after  the  needs  of  the  afflicted  families. 
During  his  pastorate  the  congregation  not  only  increased  in 
membership,  but  also  became  more  pronounced  in  its  lyUtheran- 
ism.  He  gathered  many  young  people  into  the  congregation 
and  greatly  strengthened  it,  and  the  Reformed  congregation 
from  this  time  on  practically  ceased  to  exist  as  a  living  organiza- 
tion. In  1865  Rev.  Dr.  Mechling  accepted  a  call  to  St.  Peter's 
Church,  Lancaster  Ohio,  where  he  has  been  pastor  ever  since. 

Rev.  Professor  Daniel  Worley  succeeded  Rev.  Mechling  in 

1865,  and  was  pastor  of  this  church  for  one  year,  during  which 
time  he  rendered  very  acceptable  service  to  the  people.     In  July. 

1866,  Rev.  J.  H.   Smith,    of  Ohio,   was  called   as  successor  of 


JOHN  STAUCH. 


K.  L.  RAKKR 


C.  H.  HEMSATH 


S.  K.   HEKBSTKR 


Ti.  EARHART 


JONAS  MKCllLI.NT, 


C.  D.   LLEKV 


I.  ().   P.  BAKER 


H.  J.  H.  LEMCKE 


ENOCH  SMITH 


D.  W.   MICHAEL 


(i.  G.  RI'FF 


L.  O.  HAMMER 


L.  (J.  PEAllCH 


PHILIP  DOKKK 


(.'.  A.  i;i;rE(i:':L- 


W.  ()    WILSON 


A.   H.  HAKTIloLd.MKW 


J.   11.  HITTER 


E.  L.  REED 


ST.    JAMES  CHURCH,    LIGOXIER.  153 

Rev.  Professor  Worley  and  became  pastor  and  continued  to  serve 
this  congregation  till  October,  1874,  8  years  and  3  months. 

In  1897  a  house  and  3  acres  of  land  was  purchased  by  the 
parish  for  the  pastor's  use  and  an  addition  was  built  to  the  house 
to  meet  the  needs  of  the  pastor's  family.  The  church  was  also 
repaired  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Smith.  It  was  painted, 
papered  and  carpeted,  the  pulpit  platform  and  other  improve- 
ments were  made,  and  an  organ  was  purchased.  Thus  the 
church  was  made  more  comfortable  and  attractive,  and  import- 
ant aid  rendered  to  the  music  of  the  congregation  ;  but  in  the 
fall  of  1874  Rev.  Smith  received  a  flattering  call  from  a  church 
in  Ohio,  which  he  accepted,  and  L^igonier  parish  became  vacant. 
It  was  not  supplied  with  a  pastor  till  March,  1875,  when  Rev, 
A.  D.  Potts  was  called  as  Rev.  Smith's  successor.  He  was  also 
a  son  of  our  own  county  and  had  just  finished  his  course  in  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Philadelphia.  He  became  pastor  imme- 
diately after  his  ordination.  This  was  his  maiden  parish  and 
his  services  were  highlj'  appreciated  by  the  people.  His  min- 
istry here  was  very  short,  being  less  than  one  year,  but  it  was 
earnest,  active  and  successful.  He  baptized  23  infants;  received 
26  into  the  membership  of  the  church  by  the  rite  of  confirma- 
tion, 13  by  letters  of  transfer,  making  39  additions;  he  solemn- 
ized five  marriages,  and  conducted  a  number  of  funerals.  To 
the  great  regret  of  his  people  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  the 
ist  of  February,  1876,  on  account  of  a  serious  illness  that  came 
suddenly  upon  him. 

In  March,  1877,  Rev.  H.  L.  McMurry,  also  a  student  of  the 
Philadelphia  Theological  Seminary,  was  called  and  became  the 
successor  of  Rev.  Potts.  He  entered  on  his  pastorate  immedi- 
ately after  his  ordination.  He  is  also  a  son  of  Westmoreland 
county,  and  like  Mechling,  Potts  and  Baker,  began  his  ministry 
in  the  Ligonier  parish.  As  the  parish  was  large  he  had  to  travel 
many  miles  to  do  the  work,  but  was  ever  earnest,  faithful  and 
willing  to  do  his  duty.  Quite  a  number  of  additions  were  made 
to  the  membership  during  his  pastorate.  The  church  was  remod- 
eled, a  new  pulpit,  reading  desk  and  stained  glass  windows 
put  in,  and  the  auditorium  carpeted.     The  fact  that  he  has  been 


154  CONFEKENCK  HISTORY. 

recalled   (1900)  is  sufficient   evidence  that  he  was  appreciated 
when  he  was  here  before. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  McMurr}',  in  1882,  Rev.  J. 
Iv.  Smith,  then  of  Alliance,  O. ,  was  called  and  served  this  con- 
gregation for  nearly  ten  years  in  connection  with  the  other 
churches  of  the  parish.  He  conducted  services  in  this  church  on 
every  alternate  Sunday,  and  administered  the  I^ord's  Supper 
several  times  during  the  year,  and,  in  addition  to  these,  many 
extra  services  were  held,  such  as  funerals,  catechetical  instruc- 
tions, and  the  Sunday  School  ser\ace.  A  number  of  important 
things  were  done  during  his  pastorate  ;  a  library  was  purchased 
for  the  Sunday  School,  and  a  bookcase  provided;  a  new  cabinet 
organ  was  purchased  for  the  use  of  the  congregation;  a  Woman's 
Aid  Society  was  organized,  which  has  become  an  active  organi- 
zation ;  the  congregation  was  full}^  organized  and  chartered  as  a 
Lutheran  congregation,  and  thiough  the  judicious  management 
of  Dr.  Smith  was  brought  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Pittsburg 
Synod,  together  with  the  whole  lyigonier  parish.  The  final  divi- 
sion of  the  congregations  and  settlement  with  the  Reformed  peo- 
ple was  made  during  his  pastorate.  This  was  not  done  in  a  day, 
but  required  patient  effort  and  wise  management.  Then  the 
beautiful  and  commodious  parsonage  was  built.  First  the  old 
property  was  sold  and  a  lot  purchased  as  a  site  for  a  pastor's 
home  alongside  of  the  church,  then  the  handsome  building 
erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,000. 

At  the  close  of  his  ministry  here  Dr.  Smith  was  instru- 
mental in  having  the  pastorate  divided  into  three  parishes.  He 
reports,  during  his  administration,  47  baptisms,  52  confirmations, 
he  conducted  79  funerals,  solemnized  41  manages,  and  reported 
a  membership  of  163  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate.  In  the  spring 
of  1892  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith  resigned  the  lyigonier  parish  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  Christ  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  East  End, 
Pittsburg.  St.  James'  Church  was  vacant  till  April  5th,  1893, 
when  Philip  Doerr  accepted  a  call  to  this  parish  and  served  it 
for  seven  months,  till  November,  1893.  Rev.  Doerr  did  earnest 
and  faithful  work  whilst  he  was  here.  He  preached  three  times 
each  Lord's  day,  twice  in  St.  James  Church  and  once  at  Darling- 


ST.    JAMES   CHURCH,    LIGONIER.  1 55 

ton ;  held  three  communions  in  each  church,  and  visited  all  the 
members  of  the  congregation.  He  baptized  lo  children,  added 
12  persons  to  the  membership  of  the  congregation,  solemnized 
two  marriages  and  conducted  two  funerals,  and  reported  a  mem- 
bership of  147.  On  the  ist  of  November,  1893,  Rev.  Doerr  was 
recalled  to  Salem  Evangelical  LfUtheran  Church,  Delmont,  and 
this  parish  was  again  vacant. 

In  Januar}^  1894,  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  accepted  a  call  to 
this  church,  and  entered  on  his  duties  on  the  nth  of  February, 
and  served  this  congregation  for  four  5^ears.  During  his  pastor- 
ate the  Bethel  Church  was  added  to  the  parish,  Darlington 
congregation  v/as  fully  organized,  new  church  records  were  pro- 
vided for  St.  James  and  a  beginning  was  made  to  build  a  new 
church,  the  corner  stone  of  which  was  laid  on  the  7th  of  August, 
1898,  and  the  building  was  almost  enclosed  on  September  ist, 
when  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew's  pastorate  was  concluded  here. 

In  September,  1898,  Rev.  H.  L.  McMurry,  of  Duluth,  Minn., 
became  pastor  of  the  L,igonier  parish.  He  at  once  took  up 
the  work  of  church  building  where  his  predecessor  had  left  it, 
and  with  the  cooperation  and  management  of  an  able  and  efficient 
building  committee,  the  work  went  successfully  forward.  On  the 
12th  of  February,  1899,  the  fine  and  commodious  new  church  was 
set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God  with  appropriate  festive  ser- 
vices. Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  preached  the  dedication 
sermon  and  assisted  the  pastor  in  these  services.  The  church  is 
a  handsome  brick  structure,  decorated  with  stone  trimmings,  of 
Queen  Ann  style  of  architecture.  It  has  a  frontage  of  63  feet, 
with  two  towers,  and  beautiful  stained  glass  windows.  The  au- 
ditorium is  handsomely  frescoed  and  carpeted.  The  pews  and 
altar  furniture  are  of  the  finest  oak,  and  placed  in  a  churchly 
and  becoming  manner.  A  fine  organ  is  placed  in  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  church,  which  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie. 
All  in  all,  this  church  is  a  great  credit  to  the  taste  and  liberality 
of  the  congregation. 

Special  praise  is  due  to  those  who  selected  the  plan  and 
managed  to  carry  it  out  so  successfully.  The  building  commit- 
tee and  the  two   pastors  are  to  be  congratulated  on   the   char- 


156  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

acter  and  eminent  success  of  the  work.  The  entire  cost  of  this 
beautiful  and  commodious  church  is  a  little  over  $g,ooo,  all 
paid.  The  success  of  this  important  undertaking  was  largely  due 
to  the  energy  and  perserverance  of  the  building  committee  which 
consisted  of  the  following  named  brethren:  William  Hays,  I.  M. 
Graham,  Dr.  J.  T.  Ambrose,  J.  W.  Keffer,  Will  J.  Potts,  and 
Henry  Shoup.  The  congregation  is  in  good  working  condition. 
It  now  numbers  151  members. 

The  present  church  council  is  composed  of  the  following 
members,  viz :  Rev.  H.  I,.  McMurry,  pastor  and  chairman, 
ex-officio;  elders,  Michael  Keffer,  and  Henry  Kuhns;  deacons,  J. 
W.  KefFer,  I.  M.  Graham.  W.  A.  Peterson,  Chas.  Shoup,  W.  N. 
Robb  and  W.  A.  Elder;  trustees,  Dr.  J.  T.  Ambrose,  R.  Robb 
and   Henry  Shoup. 

The  congregation  has  a  very  active  Woman's  Aid  Society, 
which  was  organized  in  1887,  with  26  members.  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Keffer  and  Mrs.  Wm.  Hays  were  the  first  president  and  secre- 
tary. This  society,  which  is  made  up  of  earnest  workers,  has 
done  much  good  in  various  ways  to  the  caiise  of  benevolence, 
and  contributed  $1,000  to  the  building  of  the  church.  There 
was  a  Young  People's  society  organized  in  1 891,  with  23  mem- 
bers. This  is  a  very  useful  society  to  the  young  members  of  the 
church  and  may  become  a  strong  arm  of  service  in  any  congrega- 
tion. It  has  been  and  is  now  a  live  organization,  and  contributed 
$500  to  the  building  fund. 

The  Sunday  School  was  organized  in  1871  and  has  been  suc- 
cessfully maintained  ever  since,  and  has  done  much  good.  It  is 
now  organized  on  the  advanced  plan  of  Graded  Lessons,  and 
uses  the  literature  of  the  General  Council  Publication  Board.  It 
now  numbers  over  one  hundred  pupils,  eight  teachers,  with  Pri- 
mary Department.  The  officers  are:  I.  M.  Graham,  superin- 
tendent; Lillian  Ambrose,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Emma  Peter- 
son, librarian, 

St.  James  Church  enjoys  a  distinction  that  has  fallen  to  few 
congregations.  She  is  the  mother  of  a  St.  James  church  in  a 
distant  Southern  state.  Miss  Maggie  Keffer,  daughter  of  Elder 
Michael    Keffer,  married  Mr.  John    F.    Laughry   and   removed 


HOPK  OR  HOFFMAN'S  CHUHCH.  157 

wifh  her  young  husband  and  settled  in  Sumpter,  South  Carolina. 
After  living  there  for  a  while,  and  being  without  church  privileges, 
she  longed  for  her  own  church.  After  some  reflection,  a  L<uth- 
eran  congregation  was  organized  in  her  parlor  by  the  Rev.  F, 
W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  of  Wilmington,  North  Carolina.  This 
little  church,  which  had  its  beginning  in  the  home,  has  increased 
and  prospered,  and  now  numbers  50  members  and  owns  a  church 
property  worth  $5,000,  See  what  can  be  done  if  we  handle  faith 
like  a  grain  of  mustard  seed. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  of  St.  James: — Rev.  John 
M.  Steck,  1794-1820  ;  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1820-1848  ;  Rev.  J, 
J.  Sutter,  1 848- 1 849;  a  vacancy  partly  supplied;  Rev.  Jos.  R, 
Focht,  1850-1853;  Rev.  W.  H.  Wynn,  1854-1856;  Rev.  I  O.  P. 
Baker,  1857-1859  ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  1859-1865  ;  Rev.  Dan- 
iel Worley,  1860-1866  ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Smith,  1 866-1 874 ;  Rev.  A.  D. 
Potts,  1875-1876;  Rev.  H.  ly.  McMurry,  1877-1882  ;  Rev.  J.  L, 
Smith,  1882-1892  ;  Rev.  P.  Doerr,  1893-7  months;  Rev.  A.  H."' 
Bartholomew,  1 894-1 898  ;  Rev,  H.  I,.  McMurry,  1898  to  the  • 
present.  -    '   ' 


XII.     HOPE,  OR  HOFFMAN'S,    EVANGEUCAL  LUTH- 
ERAN CHURCH,  SOUTH  HUNTINGDON  TOWN- 
SHIP. WESTMORELAND  COUNTY,  PA. 

Huntmgdon  was  one  of  the  original  townships,  of  West- 
moreland county,  laid  out  in  1773,  when  the  county  was 
erected.  In  1790  it  was  divided  into  North  and  South  Hunting-' 
don,  and  later  East  Huntingdon  was  established.  There  were 
settlers  in  South  Huntingdon  before  1770,  and  between  1770  and 
1780  quite  a  settlement  was  made  on  the  Big  Sewickly,  for  we 
have  learned  that  the  Sewickly  Presbyterian  Church  'vvas'or-' 
ganized  in  1776.  Among  the  early  settlers  we  may  mentiori  a 
few  names:  Plumers,  Dicks,  Robbs,  Bkckburns,  Markles, 
Robertson  and  others.  -i  >i  I'^  • 

Isaac  Robb  laid  out  West  Newton  in  1796,  which,  for  many 


158  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

years,  was  better  known  as  Robbstown,  though  Mr.  Robb  him- 
self had  given  it  the  name,  West  Newton,  when  he  laid  it  out. 
Smithton  is  another  point  that  was  occupied  very  early.  A 
house  is  still  standing  and  occupied  as  a  dwelling,  which  is 
said  to  have  been  built  140  years  ago  as  a  block-house.  This  is 
proof  that  there  were  people  in  this  vicinity  who  needed  protec- 
tion. 

The  community  of  Hope  Church  was  also  old,  though  not  as 
old  as  the  Sewickly  community.  But  this  German  settlement 
that  organized  Hope  Church  no  doubt  began  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  and  was  well  established  as  a  community  before 
1790.  There  was  no  doubt  a  provisional  organization  here  be- 
tween 1794  and  1800,  which  was  served  by  missionaries.  The 
first  house  erected  for  the  use  of  this  congregation  was  a  school 
house,  which  stood  a  short  distance  southwest  of  the  present 
church,  and  was  used  tclh  re  a  schccl  and  as  a  place  of 
worship  till  the  first  brick  church  was  built.  Revs.  John  M. 
Steck  of  Greensburg,  and  John  Stouch  of  Jacob's  Church,  Fayette 
county,  both  did  service  here.  Father  Stouch  cooperated  with 
Father  Steck  in  ministering  to  the  German  settlements  in  West- 
moreland county,  till  he  removed  to  Ohio  in  1S06. 

The  records  of  the  ministerial  acts  of  these  pastors  are  im- 
perfect and  do  not  cover  the  first  year  of  their  labors.  We  have 
records  reaching  back  to  1 8 1 1  and  1 2 ,  but  we  know  the  church 
was  here  before  that  time.  The  records  of  the  early  years  of 
this  congregation  have  not  been  preserved,  and  have  therefore, 
not  been  handed  down  to  us  but  we  have  sufiicient  data  to  con- 
vince us  that  this  church  was  here  at  the  beginning  of  the  Nine- 
teenth century. 

Without  a  doubt  there  was  a  provisional  organization  here 
in  1798,  when  the  late  Henry  Hoffman  made  his  will  and  set 
apart  his  farm  of  49  acres,  which  was  to  be  sold  after  the  death 
of  his  wife  and  the  proceeds  applied  to  the  building  of  a  Luth- 
eran church  in  this  communit3^  He  died  in  1802  and  was  buried 
in  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  Lutheran  congregation.  His 
wife  died  a  few  years  later,  and  Andrew  Findly,  the  executor  of 
the   estate  sold  the   land   for  $341    to   George   Frick,  and  the 


HOPE  OR  HOFFMAN'S  CHURCH.  1 59 

money   was  appropriated  as  had  been  provided  by  the  testator. 

The  first  brick  church  was  a  plain  building,  about  30x40 
feet  in  size,  finished  and  furnished  without  any  unnecessary  or- 
namentation. It  stood  in  the  cemetery,  a  short  distance  north 
east  of  the  present  church,  by  which  it  was  replaced  in  1866,  be- 
cause it  was  no  longer  fit  for  use. 

The  growth  of  this  congregation  was  quite  slow  during  the 
early  years  of  its  history,  like  that  of  many  others  and,  no  doubt, 
for  the  same  reasons.  The  experience  of  the  peof)le  of  South 
Huntingdon  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  people  of  Hempfield, 
Mount  Pleasant,  Ligonier  and  Donegal.  The  same  causes  were 
active  here  that  were  found  there,  and  produced  the  same  results. 
The  same  trials  had  to  be  endured;  the  same  dangers  to  be  met 
and  the  same  burdens  to  be  borne  that  were  the  common  lot  of 
the  early  settlers. 

The  fathers  of  this  church  knew  something  of  the  Indian 
troubles,  that  hung  like  a  dark  cloud  over  this  county  for  many 
years;  they  shared  the  burdens  and  experienced  the  waste  of  the 
war  of  Independence,  and  were  not  exempt  from  the  excitement 
and  embarrassment  occasioned,  as  noted  elsewhere,  by  the 
"Whisky  Insurrection"  and  not  a  few  of  them  were  called  upon 
to  take  part  in  the  War  of  18 12.  All  these  military  and  political 
disturbances  seriously  hindered  the  progress  of  civilization,  and 
greatly  retarded  the  growth  of  the  church. 

Among  the  names  of  those  who  seem  to  have  been  promi- 
nent in  those  early  times,  and  appear  on  our  church  record,  we 
may  mention  the  following:  Hoffmans,  Fricks,  Momyers,  Pores, 
Coders,  Merits,  Houghs,  (Hochs)  Shupes,  Rhoades,  Heplers, 
(Heblers,)  Smiths,  Hengstellers,  Hohenshells  and  others. 

Descendants  of  most  of  these  are  still  in  the  church,  but 
we  have  not  held  as  many  of  them  as  we  should  have  done. 
This  is  no  doubt  owing  to  several  causes,  some  of  which  are 
easily  understood,  whilst  others  lie  deeper  and  cannot  be  fully 
accounted  for.  The  language  question  was  one  cause,  and 
another  was,  too  little  public  service. 

It  may  be  proper  to  state,  here,  that  the  Reformed  also 
claimed  an  interest  in  this  church  for  some  time,   but  as   their 


l6o  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

interest  was  always  very  small  and  was  not  cared  for  with  much 
earnestness  it  died  out  in  the  course  of  time  altogether.  It  does 
not  appear  after  1842.  The  Lutheran  congregation  has  been 
preserved  only  in  spite  of  many  trials  and  hindrances. 

The  good  people  of  the  generations  past  as  well  as  those 
of  the  present  who  have  stood  by  this  church,  supported 
it  and  kept  it  alive  and  have  handed  it  down  to  the  present 
time,  are  to  be  congratulated  and  desen'-e  our  hearty  thanks 
for  their  loyalty  and  fidelity  to  the  church.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  the  children  of  the  fathers,  who  laid  the  foundations 
here  long  ago,  will  show  themselves  worthy  of  the  noble  sires,. 
who  now  sleep  in  yonder  God's  acre  besides  the  church. 

According  to  the  records  that  have  come  down  to  us  there 
have  been  15  pastors  in  this  congregation  (not  counting  several 
supplies)  since  its  organization  under  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  who  was 
pastor  of  it  from  the  time  of  its  psrmanent  organization  till  1820. 
The  records  indicate  that  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck  conducted  services 
with  a  good  degree  of  regularity,  though  not  frequently;  he  per- 
formed the  baptism  of  children,  held  communion  at  least  once  a 
year,  sometimes  oftener,  and  performed  such  other  ministerial 
acts  as  were  necessary,  such  as  marriages,  pastoral  visitations 
and  burial  of  the  dead. 

At  the  first  recorded  communion  service  held  by  Father 
Steck,  14  persons  were  present  ;  other  communions  were 
held  in  the  years  following  with  gradually  increasing  num- 
bers. In  1820  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  resigned  this  congregation 
and  early  in  1821  Rev,  Jonas  Mechling  became  his  successor.  He 
served  this  congregation  for  2 1  years  in  connection  with  a  num- 
ber of  others,  for  he  had  a  very  large  field  of  labor.  He  could 
not  give  this  congregation  much  attention  beyond  holding  one 
service  a  month  and  sometimes  less  frequently.  The  member- 
ship gradually  increased  as  the  communicant  list  shows. 
During  his  pastorate  there  is  a  record  of  290  infant  baptisms,  74 
confirmations  and  the  highest  number  that  communed  at  one 
time  was  69.  At  the  last  communion  service  in  1842  61  persons 
were  present.  This  would  indicate  a  membership  of  at  least  75 
or  80,  estimating  the  usual  number  of  absentees. 


HOPE   OR   HOFFMAN'S   CHURCH.  l5l 

In  1842  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  resigned  this  congregation  and 
Rev.  C.  H.  Hussey  became  his  successor,  who  had  pastoral  charge 
for  two  years.  In  1842  an  EngHsh  constitution  was  adopted, 
and  the  name  Hoffman's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  was 
given  to  this  congregation,  in  honor  of  Henry  Hoffman,  who 
was  a  benefactor  of  this  congregation,  as  has  been  noted,  and  a 
monument  has  been  erected  in  the  Hoffman's  cemetery  to  his 
memory  by  members  and  friends  of  this  congregation,  which 
marks  the  place  where  his  remains  were  buried. 

Under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  C.  H.  Hussey  this  congregation 
suffered  great  loss.  He  was  a  I^utheran,  not  from  conviction 
or  by  education,  but  by  accident.  He  had  no  proper  know- 
ledge of  the  history,  doctrines  and  usages  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  nor  had  he  any  sympathy  with  the  true  spirit  of  Luth- 
eranism.  He  broke  up  the  congregation  known  as  the  "Fork's 
Church, "and  sadly  wrecked  this  congregation  by  his  new  meth- 
ods, which  gave  offense  and  drove  not  a  few  from  the  congreg- 
ation. He  divided  the  church  into  two  parts.  He  had  only 
some  30  communicants  while  his  predecessors  had  over  60. 
Some  one  has  made  the  following  record  after  Rev.  Hussey 
had  resigned  Hoffman's  church.  ' 'Some  spiritual  libertines  have 
injured  the  cause  of  Christ  here,  the  evil  of  which  will  take  time 
and  grace  to  remedy.  God  grant  to  enlighten  the  people  and 
bless  and  save  the  church." 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Hussey,  in  1844,  Rev.  J.  Selle, 
of  the  Ohio  Synod,  served  this  congregation  for  a  short  time, 
as  a  supply  in  connection  with  West  Newton,  In  1845  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck  took  charge  of  this  church,  and  was  pastor 
of  it  till  the  autumn,  of  1847,  as  his  record  of  ministerial 
acts  shows. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  Rev. 
W.  S.  Emery  was  called,  who  became  pastor  of  this  congrega- 
tion in  connection  with  West  Newton  and  Seanor's  Church.  He 
served  continuously  for  nearly  11  years,  and  faithfully 
ministered  to  the  people  in  word  and  sacraments.  He 
held  services  on  each  alternate  Sunday  as  far  as  possible  and  ad- 
ministered the  holy  communion  twice  each  year.     He  added  a 


1 62  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

number  of  adults  to  the  membership,  baptized  96  children  and 
conducted  a  number  of  funerals.  He  resigned  the  parish  in 
1858,  in  order  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Lutheran  Church, 
in  Indiana,  Pennsylvania.  His  resignation  was  followed  by 
a  vacancy  of  one  year. 

Rev.  George  Gaumer,  recently  called  to  his  reward,  held 
one  communion  ser^ace,  and  Rev.  Simon's  also  rendered 
some  service.  In  1859  Rev.  S.  B,  Lawson  became  pastor  of 
Hoffman's  church  and  served  it  in  connection  with  the  West 
Newton  parish  till  February,  1865,  when  the  Master  called 
him  ,to  his  reward.  Rev.  Lawson,  like  Emery,  preached  to 
this  congregation  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  and  he  held  two 
communion  services  annually.  He  baptized  33  children  and  added 
a  number  to  the  membership  of  the  congregation.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz,  who  was  pastor  for  one  year.  He 
was  a  faithful  man,  and  did  good  work  among  the  people  during 
his  short  pastorate.  We  have  heard  him  spoken  of  in  words  of 
praise. 

In  1866  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke  received  and  accepted  a 
call  from  this  congregation  He  served  it  for  six  years,  yet 
there  are  only  a  few  recorded  ministerial  acts  by  which  we  may 
form  an  estimate  of  his  work  ;  but  we  know  from  the  testimony 
of  the  people  who  were  under  his  ministry  that  he  won  their 
esteem  and  approbation  for  his  fidelity  and  worth  as  a  minister 
of  Christ.  He  did  not  add  many  members  to  the  congregation, 
but  he  left  it  in  peace  and  harmony,  which  is  in  itself  an  ele- 
ment of  success. 

It  was  during  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate  that  the  present 
church  was  built.  In  April,  1866,  a  congregational  meeting 
was  held  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  build.  In  Ma}-  following 
another  meeting  was  held  when  a  soliciting  committee  was  ap- 
pointed and  Adam  Pore,  George  Momyer,  and  George  Frick 
were  appointed  a  building  committee.  The  lot  on  which  the 
present  church  stands  was  purchased  from  Henry  Shupe  for  $50, 
the  deed  for  which  was  made  to  Adam  Pore,  J.  B.  Hepler  and 
J.  C,  Merrit  in  trust  for  the  Hoffman's  Church. 

In  the  summer  of  1866,  the  work  of  church  building  was 


HOPE   OR   HOFFMAN'S    CHURCH,  1 63 

carried  successfully  forward.  About  midsummer  the  corner 
stone  was  laid,  and  by  the  first  of  October  the  church  was  com- 
pleted, and  on  the  i6th  of  the  same  month  it  was  set  apart  to 
the  worship  of  God  with  joyous  and  appropriate  services. 

Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn  was  present  on  the  occasion  and  preached 
the  dedication  sermon  and  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  lycmcke,  the  pastor, 
performed  the  act  of  consecration.  The  church  is  a  plain  brick 
building,  situated  on  a  very  beautiful  spot  alongside  of  the  ceme- 
tery and  is  well  built  on  a  good  stone  foundation,  with  slate  roof. 
It  is  finished  and  furnished  without  any  unnessary  ornaments. 
It  has  recently  been  neatly  papered  and  painted.  It  is  30x36 
feet  in  size  and  cost  $1,750. 

Rev.  Lemcke  continued  his   pastorate  till   1872   when  this 

large  parish   was   divided   and  rearranged,  as   has  been   noted 

elsewhere.     Hoffman's   church   was   united    with    St.    Paul's, 

Seanors,    to    constitute   a   new   parish.    Rev.  John    Singer  was 

called  to  become  pastor.     He  took   charge   in  1873,  and   ser\'ed 

it    very   faithfully     till   August,    1876,  when  he  was  summoned 

by   the   Master   to  lay  down     his   office.     After   the    death   of 

Rev.     J.    Singer    the    parish  was   vacant   and   a  Mr.    A.     G. 

Wilson,    from   Ohio,    on    his   own   recommendation,  came   into 

this  church  and  preached  to  the  people   for   a   short   time,    but 

suddenly  departed.     In  1877  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  of  Manor  Station, 

became   pastor  and  served  the  congregation  quite   successfully 

for   five  years.     He  baptized   9  children,    confirmed  27  adults, 

and  received  others  by   letters  of   transfer.     The   congregation 

did    well     under     his   ministry   and   he   was   esteemed   among 

the  people,    but,    unfortunately,  on  the   25th  "of  October,  1881, 

'   he  was  compelled  to  lay  down  his   ofiice.    Rev.  S.  K.  Herbster 

became  his  successor  soon  after,  as  Hoffman's  was  again  united 

with  West   Newton  parish,  and   served  it  for  9  years  faithfully 

with  word   and  sacrament.     He   left  only  a  few  data  on   the 

church  record,  but  he  has  a  good  record  among  this  people.     We 

find  a   record   of  4   baptisms  of  children  and  14   confirmations, 

and  the   number   of   communicants   37.     The  membership  was 

about  the  same  when  he  resigned  as  when  he   took  charge.     At 

the  first  and  last  communion  service  24  persons  were  present. 


164  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Rev,  Herbster  resigned  in  1891,  and  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Irwin  parish,  soon  after  his  resignation.  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline, 
of  Scottdale,  took  charge  of  this  church  in  connection  with  St. 
Paul's  Scottdale,  and  held  service  here  every  alternate  Sunday. 
At  his  first  communion  service  some  24  people  were  present. 
He  awakened  a  new  interest  in  this  congregation  and  in  April, 
1892,  he  received  16  persons  into  the  communion  of  the  church  by 
baptism,  confirmation  and  letter  of  transfer,  and  at  the  second 
communion  62  were  present.  He  continued  to  labor  in  this  field 
till  1895,  when  he  resigned  the  Scottdale  parish  on  account  of 
decline  in  health  and  accepted  a  call  from  Donegal  parish.  He 
was  succeeded,  soon  after  his  resignation,  by  Rev.  J.  C.  P.  Rupp, 
of  McKeesport,  who  also  ministered  to  this  congregation  as  Rev. 
J.  H.  Kline  had  done  on  each  alternate  Sunday.  He  was 
vustor  of  this  congregation  for  four  years  and  has  reported  3 
baptisms,  5  confirmations  and  received  several  others  by  letter  of 
transfer. 

Rev.  Rupp  resigned  Hoffman's  church  in  1899,  and  the 
Southern  Conference  at  its  spring  meeting  in  Saltsburg,  in  1899, 
requested  the  Rev.  E.  L,.  Reed,  to  supply  this  church  on 
every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon,  which  he  did  for  three  months 
beginning  with  September,  ist  1899,  and  held  one  communion 
service.  In  December  (1899)  Rev.  Reed  requested  Rev.  W.  F. 
Ulery,  of  Greensburg,  to  relieve  him  of  the  responsibilitj' of  tak- 
ing care  of  Hope  church  because  it  imposed  too  much  additional 
work  upon  him.  The  latter  accepted  the  offer  and  began 
to  hold  services  on  the  third  Sunday  in  December,  1899, 
and  has  continued  to  minister  to  these  people  till  the  pres- 
ent, on  every  alternate  Sunday.  He  has  instructed  and  confirmed 
10  persons,  has  baptized  10  children,  married  three  couples, 
buried  two  of  the  members  and  administered  the  Holy 
Communion  six  times  to  the  congregation,  as  well  as  to  a  num- 
ber of    persons  privately. 

There  are  some  60  names  on  our  church  roll ;  but  there  are 
only  about  40  active  members  connected  with  the  congregation. 
Two  have  died  within  the  last  year,  and  five  have  been  dis- 
missed. 


HOPE    OR    HOFFMAN'S   CHURCH.  I^, 

During  the  summer  of  1900  the  church  was  neatly  papered 
and  the' ceiling  and  all  the  woodwork  painted  at  a  cost  of  about 
$50,  A  Sunday  School  was  organized  an4 parried  on  successfully 
for  a-few  months,  but  as  the  church  services  wer^  only  conducted 
on  every  alternate  Sunday,  the  school  was  not  so  well  attended 
on  the  off  Sundays.  Then  as  fall  approached  the  people  living  at 
some  distance  from  the  church  did  not  get  there  in  time  for  Sun- 
day school  services,  thus  by  and  by  it  was  broken  up.  No  at- 
tempt was  made  the  next  year  to  reorganize  it. 

In  October,  1900,  Hoffman's^Church  celebrated  its  centennial 
with  a  good  degree  of  interest.  The  services  began  on  Sunday, 
October  the  21st  and  continued,  five  days.  Jlev.  Edmund  Bel- 
four,  D.  D. ,  president  of  the  Pittsburg  synod,  and  Rev.  R.  G. 
Rosenbaum,  president  of  the  Southern  Conference,  Revs.  A.  L. 
Yount,  D.  D.  and  J.  Sarver,  D.  D.,  and  S-  K.  Herbster,  B. 
L.  Reed  and  Luther  D.  Reed  assisted  the  pastor  on  this  interesting 
occasion. 

On  the  1 8th  of  November  a  congregational  meeting  was 
called,  the  object  of  which  was  the  consideration  and  adoption  of  a 
new  constitution  and  the  election  of  officers.  After  the  constitu- 
tion was  read  and  considered,  it  was  unanimously  adopted,  and  the 
following  named  persons  were  elected  as  the  church  council: 
Elders — George  Pore  and  Paul  Hough,  Sr. ;  deacons— Frank  B,  . . 
Momyer,  Jacob  I^.  Hough,  William  Albig,  and  WilHam  E.. 
Momyer;    trustees— Joseph  Momyer  and  Lafayette  Shupe. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  of  Hoffman's  church  : — ,^ 
Rev.  John  M.    Steck,   from  orgamza,tioii   till  i  820;   Rev.  Jonas^» 
Mechliiig,  182  I  till  i  842;  Rev.  C.  H.  Hussey,   from  i842S'844;.V 
Rey.  J.  Selle,  supply,  1844-1845;  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  1845-1847^^ 
Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  1 847-1 853;  Rev.  Simons,  supply,  i  858-1  859; 
Rev,  S.  B.  Lawson,  I  859-1  865;   Rev.   J.  P.   Hentz,   1 865-1  866; 
Rev.   H.  J.  H.  Lemcke,  i  866-1872;   a  vacancy,  supplied  by  one 
Wilson;  Rev.  Jacob  Singer,  i  873-1  876;   Rev.  J.  S.    Fink,   1877- 
1 881;  Rev.  S.  K.  Herbster,  i  882-1  891;  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline,  i  89  i- 
1895;  Rev.  J.  C.  F.  Rupp,  1 895-1 899;  Rev.  E.  L.  Reed,  supply, 
three   months;  Rev.   W.    F.    Ulery,    December,    1899     to    the. 
present. 


1 66  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

The  cemetery  was  originally  laid  out  about  the  time  that  the 
congregation  was  started.  At  first  it  only  contained  about  one 
acre.  Some  time  afterwards  one  acre  and  a  half  were  added,  pur- 
chased from  Henry  Shupe  for  $i  35,  and  last  year  another  ad- 
dition was  made  containing  about  half  an  acre,  at  a  cost  of  $1  50. 
The  cemetery  was  incorporated  in  i  8S9  under  the  title  of  Hoff- 
man Cemetery  Company,  controlled  by  a  board  of  trustees,  which 
is  self  perpetuating.  Hoffman's  cemetery  has  a  beautiful  location. 
The  situation  and  lay  of  the  ground,  as  well  as  the  value  and 
beauty  of  its  tombstones  and  monuments,  make  it  the  equal  of 
the  best  cemeteries  of  its  size  in  Westmoreland  county.  There 
is  a  long  list  here  waiting  for  the  resurrection  morning.  There 
are  many  quite  old  graves,  for  many  of  the  prominent  people  of 
South  Huntingdon  town.ship  are  buried  here,  as  well  as  most  of 
the  founders  and  early  fathers  of  this  congregation. 


XIII.     ST.  PAUL'S  (SEANORS)  EVANGEUCAL  LUTH- 
ERAN CHURCH,    HEMPFIELD   TOWNSHIP 
WESTMORELAND  CO.,  PA. 

There  was  a  German  settlement  in  Hempfield  township,  of 
which  the  Seanor  neighborhood  was  the  centre  which  began 
about  the  year  1780,.  There  are  a  number  of  German  names 
associated  with  this  community  that  have  become  historic. 
Among  which  we  will  mention  :  Snyder,  Seanors,  Mathiases, 
Becks,  Copes,  Shumakers,  Erretts,  Waltzes,  Longs,  Truxals^ 
Sells,  Hantzes,  Hartzels,  Weibles,  Steiners,  Millers  and  others. 
The  descendants  of  these  early  settlers  are  now  in  the  fourth 
generation,  which  would  cover  a  period  of  120  years,  and  bring 
us  back  to  i  780.  It  is  safe  to  assume  that  this  settlement  was 
made  as  early  as  that,  and  perhaps  earlier. 

The  church,  however,  was  not  started  quite  so  soon  as  that, 
for  several  reasons  which  will  be  given  as  we  progress.  One 
reason  was  the  unsettled  condition  of   the  country  during  this 


ST.    PAULS   OR   SEANORS  CHURCH.  1 67 

early  period.  Though  this  community  did  not  suffer  as  much 
as  some  other  parts  of  our  county  from  the  Indian  troubles,  yet 
it  was  not  exempt  from  the  trials  and  dangers  that  were  the 
common  lot  of  the  early  settlers.  There  were  sudden  raids  and 
cruel  attacks  made  by  the  savages,  for  years  after  the  Indian 
Wars  were  closed,  for  there  were  still  a  few  Indians  in  one 
county  which  were  a  disturbing  element  and  frequent  inroads 
were  made  into  our  state  from  Ohio  and  Indiana  as  late  as  i  790 
to  I  795.  After  these  troubles  were  past  the  effects  of  the  long 
and  wearisome  "War  of  Independence"  were  still  severely  felt. 
Before  these  were  fully  overcome  that  new  trouble  came  in  this 
part  of  our  state,  which  seriously  disturbed  the  peace  and  greatly 
affected  the  prosperity  of  this  section  :  namely  '  'The  Whisky 
Insurrection."  It  will  be  of  interest  to  us  (we  think)  to  make  a 
brief  reference  to  this  importent  historic  event.  Western  Penn- 
sylvania was  a  fertile  region  which  produced  far  more  grain  and 
other  products  than  necessary  for  home  consumption,  and  there 
were  no  markets  in  the  nearby  to  demand  its  surplus  products. 
Pittsburg  was  then  only  a  little  village.  It  only  became  a 
borough  in  i  804  and  was  incorporated  in  1816.  Being  far  from 
eastern  markets,  without  good  roads,  and  edequate  means  of 
transportation,  it  cost  the  farmers  as  much  as  their  products 
were  worth  to  carry  them  to  the  distant  markets.  This  made 
dull  and  discouraging  times  for  the  farmers  in  this  vicinity. 
Therefore  as  they  could  not  carry  their  grain  to  market  with 
any  advantage  to  themselves,  they  concluded  to  build  still-houses 
and  manufacture  whisky  and  sell  it.  They  could  much  more 
easily  carry  it  to  market  and  at  less  expense  and  thus  make  a 
reasonable  profit.  But  in  1791  Congress  passed  an  excise  tax 
law  to  raic^e  revenue  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  federal  govern- 
ment which  had  special  reference  to  distilled  liquors,  and  im- 
posed a  heavy  tax  on  distilleries.  This  tax  was  so  high  that  it 
took  about  all  the  profit  on  the  distilled  products  to  pay  the  gov- 
ernment tax.  No  other  section  seemed  to  be  so  seriously  affected 
as  Western  Penneylvanla  ;  hence  the  people,  being  already  ex- 
cited on  this  tax  question  by  previous  state  legislation,  looked 
on  this  law  as  a  blow  especially  aimed  at  them.     Bitter  feelings 


i68  COJffFERENCE   HISTORY. 

were  created,  and  maity  acts  of  violence  were  committed,  abus- 
ing the  persons  and  destroying  the  property  of  the  excise  officers 
of  the  government,  and  finally  ah  armed  rebellion  was  organized. 
Under  this  threatening  outlook  it  became  necsssar}-  for  the  Federal 
government  to  assert  the  authority,  rightfully  belonging  to  it. 
On  tbe  7th  of  Augtist,  1794,  President  Washington  issued 
a  proclamation,  commanding  .all  persons,  who  were  insurgents,  to 
disperse  on  or  before  tlie.ist  of  Septeinber,  and  retire  peaceably 
to  their  respective  abodes.  At  the  same  time  he  directed  troops 
to  be  raised,  and  to  be  iri  readiness  to  march  into  the  disaffected 
districts  at  a  moment's  notice,  and  12,500  soldiers  were  enlisted, 
organized  and  marched  into  Pennsylvania.  President  Washing- 
ton came  into  our  State  in  person  and  by  his  prudent  counsel, 
aild  that  of  Governor  Mifflin,  the  unfortunate  and  ill  considered 
uprising  was  settled  without  bloodshed,  and  peace  was  restored. 

When  this  storm  had  passed  and  business  had  recovered 
from  the  severe  shock  it  had  received,  and  the  people  were 
pursuing  their  regular  occupations,  improving  their  homes, 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  the  peace  and  prosperity,  the  War  of  1812 
suddenly  broke  out,  and  not  a' few  of  the  young  men  were  called 
awa)^  from  their  peaceful  employments  to  the  seat  of  war,  and 
the  battles  of  the  Revolution,  fought  over  again.  Thus  we  see 
that  from  the  time  that  this  settlement  began,  till  after  the  War 
of  18 1 2  this  community  was  in  a  state  of  constant  excitement  and 
commotion.  In  our  times  of  peace  and  prosperity,  we  cannot 
lorm  a  conception  of  the  trials  and  burdens  that  were  the  lot  of 
pioneers  of  this  community.  But  there  were  other  trials  and 
privations  besides  those  that  were  the  result  of  war. 

Some  of  the  decendants  of  those  early  settlers  can  relate 
some  interesting  and  touching  incidents  that  have  occurred  in 
the  history  of  their  families.  An  aged  mother  used  to  tell  how 
she  and  Her  companions  went  tp  school  barefooted  till  late 
in  the  fall.  Once  she  with  some  !.dthers  went,  as  usual;  on  an 
autumn  day,  and  whilst  at  school  a  show  storm  came,  and  before 
the  school  closed  that  day  the  snow  was  six  inches  deep.  They 
had  to  walk  home  a  distance  of  two  and  a  half  miles  barefooted. 
Some  of  those  pioneer  settlers  attended   divine  ser\aces  under 


ZION'S  CHURCH,  JOHNSTOWN 


MX.  ZION  CHURCH,  DONKGAl^ 


HUGO  K.   KRUMANN 


J.  L.  SMITH 


JACOB'S  CHURCH,  I'AVlTTH  COLNTV 


JACOB'S  CHURCH  PAkSOXAGt; 


ST.  PAUL'S  OR  SEANORS  CHURCH,  1 69 

very  great  difficulties.  There  was  as  yet  no  church  at  Seanor's. 
Those  who  desired  to  attend  services  had  to  go  either  to  Har- 
rold's  church  or  to  Greensburg,  and  when  they  went  they  usu- 
ally walked.  Voung  mothers  desiring  to  go  to  church,  went 
that  long  distance  on  foot  and  carried  their  babes  in  their  arms. 

Not  a  few  of  the  Seanor  people  attended  services  either  at 
Harrold's  or  at  Greensburg  for  a  number  of  years.  There  must 
have  been  a  much  stronger  love  in  their  hearts  for  the  church 
than  most  people  have  to-day.  Two  miles,  or  even  one  mile,  is 
too  far  for  most  people  at  present.  Some  time  in  the  ninties  a 
school  house  was  built,  Wuio'.i  was  used  as  a  place  of  worship  as 
well  as  for  school  purposes,  and  a  preaching  station  was  estab- 
lished here  for  several  years  before  a  congregation  was  organized. 
The  organization  was  delayed  for  some  time,  because  a  number 
of  the  people  of  this  community  attended  services  at  Har- 
rold's church  and  Greensburg.  There  was  a  provisional  or- 
ganization here,  however,  for  several  years  before  a  permanent 
organization  was  effected.'  We  cannot  now  fix  the  exact  date  of 
this  organization,  but  we  think  it  was  quite  early  in  the  Nine- 
teenth century,  which  is  also  the  opinion  of  the  writer  |of 
the  history  of  the  Reformed  congregation  at  Seanor's,  who 
states  that  on  account  of  some  disagreement  between  Revs. 
Steck  and  Weber,  the  latter,  in  181 2,  organized  Miliron  as  a 
purely  Reformed  church,  and  the  fact  that  Rev.  Steck  was  al- 
ready pastor  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  at  Seanor's,  is  noted, 
showing  that  it  was  then  in  existence.  Soon  after  the  organiza- 
tion a  move  was  made  to  build  a  church.  It  was  a  union  church 
like  the  one  at  Harrold's, 

Tradition  tells  us  that  Henry  Snyder  donated  a  lot  as  a  site 
for  a  church,  also  a  half  acre  of  ground  to  be  used  as  a  grave 
yard ;  but  there  is  a  Court  House  record  and  a  deed,  stating  that 
Henry  Snyder  conveyed  to^^chaelMathlas,  William  Shumaker, 
and  Solomon  Wagoner,  trustees.  <?!. St. ,  Paul's  church,  a  certain 
plot  of  ground,  containing  otie'icre  and  thirty-seven  perches,  for 
a  certain  consider atibn,  to  be  used  for  a  burying  ground.  W« 
think  both  statements  are  cori-ect— Henry  Snyder  donated  a  lot 
of   ground  as  a  site  and  a  church  was  built  on  it. 


I'JO  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Later  more  ground  was  purchased  for  tlie  enlargement  of  the 
grave  yard,  for  which  a  deed  was  executed  to  said  trustees.  In 
the  survey  of  this  purchase  reference  is  made  to  the  meeting 
house,  as  the  church  is  called,  which  is  evidence  that  the  church 
was  in  existence  before  this  purchase  was  made.  In  1863 
another  addition  was  made  to  the  grave  yard.  Two  acres  and 
five  perches  were  bought  from  Jacob  Funk  for  the  consideration 
of  $76.  Tliere  have  been  three  churches  built  by  the  St.  Paul's 
congregation,  including  the  present  church.  The  first  was  a  log 
church,  built  like  the  other  log  churches  to  which  reference  has 
been  made.  It  was  built  of  hewn  logs  and  was  a  two  stor^' 
church  with  high  pulpit  and  gallerj' ;  but  primitive  in  all 
its  appointments.  It  had  a  better  floor  and  better  seats  than  the 
first  log  churches,  otherwise  it  was  just  like  them.  It  stood, 
■  >vvever,  much  longer  than  most  of  the  log  churches  in  this  coun- 
try, except  the  one  at  Hill's  and  Youngstown.  It  was  replaced 
by  a  new  church  in  1837,  which  was  a  plain  brick  building  about 
35x50  feet  in  size,  costing  perhaps,  about  $2,000.  It  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  in  the  latter  part  of  1837.  Rev.  Michael  J. 
Steck  was  the  I/Utheran  pastor  and  Rev.  H.  E.  F,  Voight,  the 
Reformed.  Revs.  Jonas  Mechling  and  J.  Daubert  assisted  at 
these  consecration  services. 

The  growth  of  the  congregation  was  very  slow  in  its 
early  history  as  the  records  show.  No  record  has  been  handed 
down  of  the  ministerial  acts  of  the  first  years  of  Father  Steck's 
pastorate  in  this  church.  The  first  communion  record  was  on 
15th  of  May,  1822,  when  31  persons  communed,  and  the  last 
record  during  his  ministery  was  on  the  ist  of  May,  1830,  when 
only  31  communed,  no  increase  in  8  years. 

The  first  record  made  by  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  was  on  the 
13th  of  November,  1831,  when  34  persons  communed.  The  next 
record  was  on  the  27th  of  May,  1832,  when  61  were  present.  On 
the  istof  June,  1834,  95  were  present,  and  at  the  last  communion 
on  the  5th  of  June,  1S48,  132  persons  took  part.in  this  solemn 
service.  Thus  we  see  how  the  congregation  prospered  under 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck. 

Tliere   have   been  twelve  pastors  in  this  congregation,  not 


ST.    PAUL'S   OR   SEANOR'S   CHURCH.  I71 

counting  temporary  supplies.  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  was  the  first, 
pastor  and  served  till  his  death.  In  the  autumn  of  i<S30,  he  obeysd 
the  call  of  the  Master  and  laid  his  armor  down.  Rev,  Michael 
J.  Steck  took  up  the  work  where  his  father  had  left  it  and  car- 
ried it  successfully  forward.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  for 
17  years.  He  ministered  regularly  to  this  congregation  once,  a 
month  and  lield  communion  twice  a  ^ear.  The  records  of  his 
ministerial  acts  indicate  how  successfully  he  performed  his  work. 
He  blessed  174  children  in  holy  baptism.  He  instructed,  and 
consecrated  142  young  people  to  full,  membership  by  the  laying 
on  of  hands  and  prayer.  He  laid  many  of  the  fathers  and 
mothers  to  rest,  and  in  184S,  when  he  was  called  away  he  left  an 
effective  communicant  membership  of  150. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  in  1848,  St.  Paul's 
church  was  united  with  Christ  chnrch,  West  Newton,  and  Hope, 
or  Hoffman's  church,  and  these  were  constituted  a  parish,  and 
Rev.  W.  S.  Emery  became  pastor  of  it,  and  served  it  faithfully 
for  ten  years.  He  held  services  in  each  church  on  every  alter- 
nate Sunday  and  administered  the  holy  communion  twice  a  year, 
and  performed  such  other  ministerial  acts  as  were  required.  He 
served  this  congregation  in  an  acceptable  manner  and  with  a 
fair  degree  of  success.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate  he  reported 
106  infant  baptisms,  70  additions  by  the  holy  rite  of  confirma- 
tion and  15  by  letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of  50  by  death  and 
removal,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  180.  In  the  Spring 
of  1858  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  thp  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran church,  at  Indiana,  Pennsylvania. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  this  church  was 
vacant  till  the  spring  of  1859,  during  which  time  Rev,  W.  F. 
Ulery,  of  Greensburg,  ministered  to  it  in  word  and  sacrament. 
In  April,  1859,  Rev.  S.  B.  Lawson,  of  Fryburg.  Pa.,  was  called, 
and  became  pastor.  He  ministered  faithfully  to  this  congrega- 
tion for  five  years  and  ten  months,  till  February  7,  1865, when 
the  Master  summoned  him  to  his  reward. 

His  record  of  ministerial  acts  indicates  that  he  baptized  62 
children,  confirmed  29  adults  and  added  25  by  letters  of  transfer 
and  had  a  communicant  membership  of  220  at  the   close   of  his 


172  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

pastorate.  In  September,  1865,  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz  was  called 
and  was  pastor  for  almost  one  year,  too  short  a  time  to  do  effec- 
tivS'^ork  in  the  matter  of  building  up  the  congregation,  after  a 
long  vacancy.  In  the  summer  of  1866  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemeke  of 
Washington,  Pa.,  was  called  as  his  successor  in  this  parish,  who 
served  the  congregation  faithfully  and  successfully  for  six  years. 
He  ministered  to  it  in  German  and  English,  and  conducted 
services  on  every  alternate  Sunda3%  and  held  communion  twice  a 
year,  both  in  German  and  English  as  was  then  required  by  the 
congregation.  In  1872  this  parish  was  divided  and  reorganized. 
Christ  church  West  Newton,  was  united  with  St.  John's 
Connellsville  to  constitute  a  parish  of  which  Rev.  H.  J.  H. 
Lemcke  became  pastor.  St.  Paul's,  and  Hope  church,  (Hoff- 
man's) were  formed  into  a  pafisli  of  which  Rev,  Jacob  Singer 
was  elected  pastor.  Rev.  Lenielv.-  has  made  the  following 
report  of  his  ministerial  acts  during  fits  pastorate  in  St.  Paul's 
church.  He  baptized  97  children,  added  59  to  the  communicant 
membership  by  the  solemn  rite  of  confirmation,  had  a  loss  of  27 
by  death  and  removal  and  an  effective  membership  of  175.  In 
April  1873  Rev.  Jacolj  Sjnger  began  his  pastoral  work  and 
ministered  faithfully  to  this  congregation  for  three  years  and 
threa  months.  During  his  pastorate  the  new  brick  church  was 
built,  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  A  beginning 
was  made  in  the  closing  months  of  1874,  a  building  committee 
was  appointed,  composed  of  members  of  the  Lutheran  and 
Reformed  congregations.  A  plan  w;as  adopted  and  subscrip- 
tions solicited.  The  building  committee  was  composed  of  the 
following  named  persons  :  Leonard  Beck,  Jacob  Snyder,  and 
John  Long  on  part  of  the  Lutherans  and  Jacob  Sell,  John  Kintig 
and  Harrison  Painter  on  part  of  the  Reformed.  In  the  spring  of 
1875  they  let  the  contract  for  the  building  of  the  church  to  Simon 
Greenawalt.  The  work  was  carried  on  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
and  on  the  12th  of  June.  1875  the  corner  stone  was  land.  Rev. 
G.  A.  Wenzel,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg,  assisted  the  pastor  on  the 
occasion.  The  church  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  and  was  dedicated  on  the  loth  of  October.  Rev.  J.  K. 
Melhorn  preached  the  dedication  sermon  "on  part  of  the  Luth- 


ST.    PAUL'S  OR  SEANOR'S  CHURCH.  1 73 

erans.  Rev.  J.  W.  Love,  the  Reformed  pastor,  made  an  address 
on  part  of  the  Reformed  congregation  and  the  two  pastors  joined 
in  the  act  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  plain  brick  building,  Corinthian  style  of 
architecture,  38x58  feet  in  size,  neatly  finished  and  plainly 
furnished,  costing  about  $4,000.  Rev.  Singer  continued  his 
work  in  this  parish  till  the  8th  of  August,  1876,  when  his 
ministery  was  closed  by  death.  After  his  departure  there  was  a 
vacancy  during  which  a  Rev.  A.  G.  Wilson  of  Ohio,  preached  in 
this  church,  but  soon  proved  himself  to  be  unworthy  of  confi- 
dence. The  congregation  accepted  him  on  his  own  recommenda- 
tion. Congregations  will  do  well  always  to  pay  due  respect  to 
the  Synod  and  its  officers,  whose  business  it  is  to  look  after  the 
interests  and  provide  for  the  needs  of  the  congregations.  This 
experience  ought  to  have  taught  this  congregation  that  it  is  not 
wise  or  safe  to  trust  a  stranger,  who  comes  without  any  recom- 
mendation from  the  president  of  the  synod  or  any  trustworthy 
minister  whom  they  know.  Mr.  Wilson  was  in  this  congrega- 
tion less  than  a  year,  and  left  no  ministerial  record  ;  but  left 
a  bad   personal   record. 

In  June,  1877  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  of  Manor  Station  became 
pastor  of  this  congregation,  and  served  it  in  connection  with 
Brush  Creek  church  for  over  four  years.  He  rendered  accept- 
able services,  preaching  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and  perform- 
ing all  necessary  ministerial  acts,  but  laid  down  his  holy  office 
in  the  autumn  of  1881.  He  has  reported  64  infant  baptisms,  40 
confirmations  and  22  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  had  a  loss 
of  25  by  death  and  removal  and  a  communicant  membership,  at 
the  close  of  his  pastorate,  of  150. 

On  the  I  St  of  January,  1881,  during  the  pastorate,  of  Rev. 
J.  S.  Fink,  the  congregation  adopted  a  new  constitution,  and  on 
the  1 2th  of  September  of  the  same  year,  the  church  was  incor- 
porated under  the  title  of  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  of  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  There  was  a  vacancy  of 
five  months  after  the  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Fink.  On  the  ist  of 
July,  1882,  Rev.  George  Gaumer  was  called  as  his  successor,  and 
was  installed  pastor  of  this  church  on  the  loth,  of  September,  by 


174  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

Rev.  E.  G.  lyUnd  of  Irwin.  He  labored  here  faithfully 
for  two  years  and  three  months,  preaching  the  word  and 
administering  the  Holy  Sacraments  regularly,  and  performing 
all  ministerial  acts  and  pastoral  duties  required  of  a  Christian 
minister.  He  administered  holy  baptism  to  33  children,  received 
27  adults  into  full  membership,  by  the  holy  rite  of  confirma- 
tion, and  added  five  by  letters  of  transfer;  he  had  a  loss  of  23  and 
at  the   close  of  his   pastorate,    there    were    200  communicants. 

On  the  ist  of  October,  1886,  Rev.  Gaumer  resigned  St. 
Paul's  church,  which  was  now  independent,  as  Hoffman's 
church  had  been  united  with  West  Newton.  Soon  after  his  res- 
ignation Rev.  C.  H.  Hemsath,  of  Adamsburg  and  Brush 
Creek  parish  became  pastor,  served  this  church  till  July 
ist,  1886,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  Grace 
>'. lurch,  Bethlehem,  Pa.  His  resignation  was  followed  by  a 
vacancy  of  one   year,  only   partially  supplied. 

In  the  spring  of  1887  Old  Zion  and  St.  Paul's  were  united  and 
constituted  a  parish,  and  called  Rev.  Professor  W.  H.  Zuber,  of 
the  Greensburg  Seninary,  who  accepted  and  became  pastor 
on  the  ist  of  July  of  the  same  year.  He  served  St.  Pauls  church 
for  seven  years  and  ministered  faithfully  in  word  and  sacra- 
ment. He  baptized  166  children ;  added  74  adults  to  the 
membership,  by  confirmation,  and  13  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  had  a  loss  of  53  by  death  and  removal,  and  a  communicant 
membership,  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate,  of  188.  He  resigned 
in  the  autumn  of  1894,  to  accept  a  call  from  a  mission  church  of 
West  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  where  he  began  his  work  in  November. 
After  his  resignatian  there  was  a  vacancy  of  five  months,  during 
which  time  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  was  the  supply. 

In  March,  1895,  Rev.  J.  Sarver  of  Emmanuel's  church  Alle- 
gheny, Pa.,  received  a  unanimous  call,  and  became  pastor  of 
this  parish  on  the  ist  of  April,  and  has  been  its  earnest  and  suc- 
cessful pastor  to  the  present.  He  has  ministered  faithfully  to 
this  congregation  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and  performed  the 
duties  of  a  pastor,  in  the  administration  of  the  Holy  Sacra- 
ments, the  care,  instruction  and  confirmation  of  the  j^outh,  as 
well  as  the  faithful  visitation  of  all  the  members  of  the  congre- 


ST.    PAUIv'S   OR   SEANOR'S   CHURCH.  1 75 

gation.  There  have  been  many  changes  in  this  congregation 
during  the  six  years  that  Dr.  Sarver  has  served  it.  Some 
have  come,  and  others  have  gone.  Not  a  few  of  the  old 
people  have  been  removed  by  death,  and  others  have  emigrated 
to  other  parts.  One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  history 
of  the  parish  is  the  building  of  the  parsonage,  which  was  done, 
in  no  small  measure  through  the  influence  and  energy  of  the 
pastor.  Both  pastor  and  people  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
successful  manner  in  which  the  building  of  this  comfortable 
pastor's  home  was  accomplished.  Mr,  Cyrus  Pool  of  Pittsburg, 
donated  an  acre  of  ground  at  New  Stanton,  on  which  it  is  built. 
The  cost  was  $7,150  over  $1,000  of  which  was  paid  by  Seanor's 
church  the  balance  by  Harrold's  church. 

Dr.  Sarver  has  reported  43  infant  baptisms,  76  confirmations, 
16  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  a  loss  of  70  by  death  and 
rejnoval,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  175.  St.  Paul's 
has  a  Sunday  School,  which  is  still  conducted  on  the  union  plan, 
though  most  of  the  scholars  and  workers  are  Lutherans.  It 
is  not  convenient  to  carry  on  a  purely  Lutheran  Sunday 
School  in  a  union  church  unless  it  is  conducted  it  only  on  the 
day  that  Lutheran  services  are  held,  as  some  do.  The  Sunday 
School  numbers  over  a  hundred  scholars  besides  officers  and 
teachers. 

There  is  a  cemetery  along  side  of  this  church,  to  which  ref- 
erence has  been  made,  which  had  its  beginning  with  the  congre- 
gation, and  is  owned  jointly,  like  the  church,  and  is  managed  in 
the  same  manner.  It  now  contains  about  four  acres  of  ground 
and  has  been  a  common  burying  ground  for  nearly  a  century. 
Many  of  the  first  citizens  of  this  community,  as  well  as  the 
founders,  and  older  members  of  this  church,  are  buried  here. 

St.  Paul's  Lutheran  congregation  also  has  a  church  in  the 
village  of  Stanton.  It  was  built  some  20  years  ago,'  by  the 
United  Brethren  people,  but  finding  after  the  church  was  fin- 
ished that  they  could  not  gather  a  congregation,  they  offered  to 
sell  it  to  the  Lutherans.  After  advising  with  their  pastor  and 
other  Lutheran  ministers,  brothers,  John  Long  and  Joshua  Evans 
purchased  it  from  the  United  Brethren  trustees  for  $800  for  the 


176  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

congregation.  Part  of  this  amount  was  solicited  from  the 
members  and  the  balance  was  paid  by  these  two  brethren.  It 
has  been  a  preaching  station  all  these  years,  and  a  Sunday  School 
is  conducted  here. 

The  church  council  of  St.  Paul's,  at  present,  are  the  fol- 
lowing :  Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver,  D.  D.,  pastor  and  ex-ofEcio 
chairman :  Henry  Kiester,  John  Orseck,  Jacob  Wentzler, 
Marion  Shuraw,  Nicholas  Long  and  Henry  VanDyke,  deacons; 
John  Long,    John   Hauser   and   Jacob   Errett,    trustees. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  of  St.  Paul's  Church: — 
Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  till  1830;  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  1830- 1848; 
Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  October,  1848,  till  April,  1858,  supply  of 
vacancy  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  of  Greensburg ;  Rev.  S.  B.  Law- 
son,  April,  1859,  till  February,  7th  1865  ;  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz, 
1865-1866;  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke  July,  1866,  to  July  1872; 
Rev.  Jacob  Singer,  April,  1875,  to  August,  1876;  Rev.  A.  G. 
Wilson,  1876-1877;  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  April,  1877,  till  October, 
1881  ;  Rev.  George  Gaumer,  April  1882,  till  October,  1884  ; 
Rev.  C.  H.  Hemsath,  April,  1885,  till  1887  ;  Rev.  W.  H.  Zuber, 
July,  1887,  till  November,  1894,  supply  by  Rev.  W.  F,  Ulery; 
Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver,  D.  D. ,  1895,  to  the  present. 


XIV.     ST.  JAMES'  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH 
BELL  TOWNSHIP,  WESTMORELAND  CO.,  PA. 

Bell  township  is  situated  in  the  north  western  part  of  the 
county,  which  was  largely  settled  by  Scotch  Irish ;  but  there 
were  also  some  Germans  among  them.  These  were  mostly 
settled  in  what  is  now  Bell  township,  and  a  few  in  North  Wash- 
ington. The  English  speaking  people  came  a  little  earlier  than 
the  Germans.  The  Presbyterians  had  churches  at  several 
points  some  time  before  the  Lutherans  and  Reformed  had  or- 
ganized. We  are  informed  that  a  minister  was  called  to  Polk 
Run  as  early  as  1784.     Among  the  names  of  the  early  settlers  in 


ST.    JAMES'    CHURCH,    BEI^L  TOWNSHIP.  ■  177 

Bell  township  we  have  the  following :  Hines,  Yokeys,  Rum- 
baughs,  Clawsons,  Pauls,  Bowmans,  Kuhns,  Riighs,  Smeltzers, 
Whitsels,  Wiesters,  Hiltj-s,  Householders  and  I,ongs. 

Though  the  settlement  of  this  people  was  made  later  than 
others  that  have  come  under  our  notice,  yet  they  were  not  ex- 
empt from  the  trials  and  burdens  that  are  the  lot  of  pioneer 
settlers.  For  the  same  conditions  existed  here  that  were  found 
elsewhere,  and  the  same  dangers  and  difficulties  had  to  be  met 
by  them,  which  was  the  bane  of  others.  They  were  not  exempt 
from  the  burdens  that  the  War  of  the  Revolution  imposed 
upon  the  people,  and  they  felt  the  full  force  of  the  effects  of  the 
Insurrection  of  1794,  to  which  reference  has  been  made  in 
other  chapters.  They  also  learned  something  of  the  Indian 
troubles  in  the  northern  part  of  the  country.  History  informs 
us  that  between  the  years  of  1791  to  1795,  the  savages  made  in- 
vasion after  invasion,  and  carried  away-  many  people  into  cap- 
tivit}^  murdered  and  scalped  others,  robbed  them  of  their  prop- 
erty and  burned  their- homes.  Under  these  circumstances  there 
could  be  no  development  of  the  resources  of  the  country,  much 
less  any  growth  in  the  church.  But  as  soon  as  there  was  a  little 
time  to  recover  from  these  embarrassments,  and  business  had  re- 
vived, a  move  was  made  to  provide  for  the  needs  of  religion. 
There  was  already  a  provisional  organization,  but  now  an  effort 
was  made  to  build  a  church.  It  was,  of  course,  a  Union 
church,  like  the  others  that  were  built  by  the  lyUtheran  and  Re- 
formed people  in  those  early  times. 

A  short  distance  from  the  Indian  village,  known  as  Oldtown, 
near  the  Kiskiminitas,  is  a  plot  of  ground,  surrounded  by  woods, 
which  is  fenced  as  a  sacred  burial  place,  (now  overgrown  with 
underbrush)  where  lie  buried  the  bodies  of  about  one  hundred 
persons.  This  land  was  donated  by  Simon  Hine,  Sr. ,  as  a  site 
for  a  Lutheran  and  Reformed  church  and  burying  ground. 
Near  this  enclosure,  on  a  lot  donated  by  Mr.  Hine,  a  church 
was  begun,  the  foundation  had  been  laid,  timbers  had 
been  hauled  to  the  place,  and  the  day  to  raise  the  building  ap- 
pointed. The  members  of  the  two  congregations  were  on  the 
ground,  and  one  course  of  logs  had  been  laid  on  the  foundation 


I 78  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

and  the  joists  were  about  to  be  laid,  when  the  question  was  raised: 
"To  whom  shall  this  house  and  ground  be  deeded?"  Until 
that  question  was  decided  not  another  hand  was  lifted,  and 
when  it  was  decided,  the  issue  remained  still  the  same.  There 
the  few  logs,  placed  on  the  pillars  of  stone,  remained  untouched 
and  the  rest  of  the  logs  lay  about  in  heaps  till  they  decayed,  for 
the  house  was  never  built.  What  a  monument  of  human  folly  ! 
We  cannot  now  determine  the  exact  time  when  this  beginning 
was  made,   but  we  think  it  was  as  early  as  1820. 

A  few  years  after  this  failure  at  Meribah,  Christian  Yokey 
gave  a  lot  of  ground,  as  a  site  for  a  church,  about  three  miles 
southwest  of  the  place  described  above,  which  is  the  site  of  the 
present  St.  James'  church.  Here  a  log  church  was  built,  after 
the  pattern  of  the  churches  of  thai  f.arly  day.  You  will  notice 
that  all  the  buildings  of  that  day  were  log  buildings.  The 
fathers  built  log  houses,  log  school  houses  and  log  churches. 
This  was  the  most  natural  thing  for  them  to  do.  Not  only  be- 
cause it  was  the  custom,  but  because  timber  was  cheap  and 
eisily  procured,  whilst  other  materials  were  expensive  and  not 
easily  gotten.  The  fathers  could  not  afford  to  build  of  brick  or 
stone,  therefore  they  built  of  wood,  and  we  may  call  that  the 
wooden  age,  as  this  is  the  stone  and  iron  age. 

The  first  church  was  of  moderate  size  and  was  built  after 
the  pattern  of  Harrold's  church — a  two  story  with  gal- 
lery and  high  wine  glass  pulpit,  with  old-fashioned  sounding 
board  above  the  pulpit.  One  of  the  fathers  of  St.  James' 
church,  Mr.  John  Smcltzer,  who  has  a  distinct  recollection  of  the 
old  log  church  and  all  its  appointments,  has  given  us  a  minute 
description  of  it.  It  was  built  like  the  others  we  have  des- 
cribed,— of  hewn  logs,  with  logs  for  seats,  at  the  first,  as  well  as 
split  logs  for  a  floor,  but,  later,  some  change.s'and  improvements 
were  made.  This  church  was  built  a  few  years  after  the  other 
attempt,  which  failed — perhaps  three  or  four  years, — quite 
likely  between  1S03  and  1806.  We  know  it  was  built  before 
1808.  It  was  used  for  one  generation  at  least.  It  stood  about 
33  5'ears  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  new  brick  church.  The  ground 
on  which  it  stands  was  not  conveyed  till  1815,  and  the  same  year 


ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH,  BEIvL  TOWNSHIP.  179 

that  the  union  constitution  for  the  mutual  regulation  of  the  two 
congregations,  was  adopted,  which  has  been  the  organic  law  of 
St.  James'  church  ever  since. 

The  present  church  was  begun  in  1837,  and  was  completed 
in  1838.  Jacob  Smeltzer,  John  Ringle  and  John  WhitCvSel  were 
the  building  committee,  who  let  the  contract  for  the  building  of 
the  church  to  Mathew  Cullen  and  John  Paul  on  the  9th  of  April, 
1838,  for  the  sum  of  $2,200.  It  was  finished  before  the  end  of 
the  year  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  as  soon  as  it  was 
completed,  by  the  two  pastors,  Revs.  M.  J.  Steck  and  William 
Weinel.  This  new  brick  church  is  a  plain,  one  story  building, 
50x60  feet  in  size,  very  different  in  its  plan  and  architecture 
from  most  of  the  churches  built  in  those  early  times.  It  has  no 
gallery  and  therefore,  needed  no  high  wine  glass  pulpit.  The 
fathers  of  our  church  in  Bell  township  worshiped  in  the  old 
log  church.  Father  John  M.  Steck  preached  in  it  during 
all  the  years  of  his  ministry,  and  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  spent 
nearly  10  years  of  his  pastorate  here.  The  people  of  Bell  town- 
ship were  not  as  prog:ressive  as  some  others,  and,  perhaps, 
not  as  well  to  do.  It  took  a  long  time  to  develop  the  land 
and  bring  the  people  up  to  a  point  when  they  felt  the  need  of 
better  church  accommodations. 

As  long  as  the  fathers  lived  in  very  plain  houses,  and  many 
even  in  rude  log  cabins  they  could  not  be  expected  to  give  much 
attention  to  the  architecture  and  finish  of  their  churches.  But 
one  of  the  principal  reasons  why  the  church  work  and  church 
building  progressed  so  slowly,  was  because  the  people  had  too 
little  service  and  too  little  pastoral  care.  This  St.  James' 
church  was  only  a  mission  station  during  the  pastorate  of 
Father  John  M.  Steck,  and  the  same  was  true,  in  a  great  meas- 
ure, of  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck.  He  had  at  least 
eight  churches  and  preaching  stations,  and  the  communicant 
membership  of  his  parish  was  ac  one  time  about  1400.  St. 
James'  was  one  of  his  distant  points.  He  could  hold  only  one 
service  a  month  in  his  largest  and  best  congregation  and  some  of 
his  outside  stations  were  not  reached  oftener  than  once  in  two  or 
three  months,  hence   it  is  easy  to  see  that  there  could  not  be 


l8o  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

rapid  growth.  There  was  a  great  lack  of  ministers  in  oitr  church 
during  that  time.  Poor  as  the  people  were  thej'  could  have  sup- 
ported twice  as  many  ministers,  just  as  well  as  the  number  they 
did  support,  and,  with  proper  care  and  management,  they  could 
have  done  it  better. 

There  have  been  some  thirteen  ministers  who  have  serv^ed 
as  pastors  of  this  church  on  the  part  of  the  Lutherans,  and  there 
have  been  perhaps  quite  as  many  on  the  part  of  the  Reformed. 
Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  who  was  the  organizer  of  the  congregation, 
had  the  pastoral  care  of  it  till  1829,  when  his  son,  Michael  J. 
Steck  took  charge,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years,  when 
Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  who  labored  for  some  time  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county,  rendered  him  some  assistance,  served  it  from 
the  time  he  returned  from  Ohio  in  1829,  and  took  charge  of 
it,  in  connection  with  the  Greensburg  parish,  till  1847,  when  he 
resigned  and  put  it  under  the  care  of  Rev.  John  Rugan,  who 
had  been  called  to  become  his  assistant. 

Although  St.  James'  congregation  had  made  slow  progress 
for  many  years,  it  took  a  new  start  after  the  building  of  the 
brick  church.  In  18:17,  when  Rev.  Michael  Steck  resigned  and 
Rev.  John  Rugan  took  charge  of  it,  it  was  a  strong  congregation, 
having  over  200  communicant  members.  He  ministered  to  this 
church  for  several  years,  doing  faithful  and  effective  work. 
The  only  drawback  was  that  he  could  not  preach  in  German . 
Some  of  the  old  people  who  had  worshipped  so  long  in  the  Ger- 
man language  could  not  be  reconciled  to  give  it  up  at  once 
and  have  all  English.  Rev.  Rugan  made  quite  large  addi- 
tions to  the  membership,  and  also  performed  many  ministerial 
acts  but  the  records  are  so  ver}^  imperfect  that  we  cannot 
give  a  very  definite  account  of  his  work  in  this  congregation 
beyond  his  regular  ministrations. 

In  1851,  he  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in  Ohio,  and  Rev. 
J.  N.  Burket  of  the  Illinois  Synod,  became  his  successor  and 
served  till  it  1853,  in  connection  with  Boiling  Springs  and  Mays-! 
ville  church,  Armstrong  county,  and  performed  the  following 
ministerial  acts:  Baptized  36  children,  added  18  to  the  member- 
ship,  by  the   rite   of    confirmation,    and  had   a   loss  of   20   by 


ST,    JAMES'  CHURCH,  BELI.  TOWNSHIP.  l8l 

death  and  removal^  and   a  membership  of  232  at  the   close  of 
his  pastorate. 

In  1853  St.  James'  and  Salem  Evangelical  Lutheran  churches 
were  constituted  a  parish  and  Rev.  Charles  H.  Hersh  of  the  The- 
logical  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  was  called  and  became  its  pastor. 
He  faithfully  filled  his  office  to  this  people  for  about  three 
years,  and  his  services  were  highly  appreciated,  but  in  the 
summer  of  1856  he  received  a  call  from  Dansville,  New  York, 
which  he  accepted  and  resir.'i^'^d  the  parish  to  the  great  regret  of 
many  of  the  members.  He  has  reported  51  infant  baptisms, 
and  added  37  to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of 
confirmation  and  had  a  loss  of  11  by  death,  a  communicant 
membership  of  183. 

After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  C.  H.  Hersh  a  call  was  ex- 
tended to  Rev.  Aaron  Yeter  of  the  English  Synod  of  Ohio,  who 
accepted  it  and  began  his  labor  at  once.  He  ministereb  to 
this  congregation  for  ten  years,  and,  in  his  quiet  and  meek 
manner,  did  faithful  and  effective  work.  He  was  here  dur- 
ing the  trying  years  of  the  Civil  War,  which  laid  heavy  burdens 
on  ministers  and  made  large  demands  of  the  people,  requiring 
both  their  services  and  their  resources  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
war.  He  conducted  services  on  alternate  Sundays  at  St.  James' 
and  at  Salem,  for  both  were  union  churches,  and  dili- 
gently pursued  his  labors  all  these  years.  He  has  made  the 
following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts:  baptized  141  chil- 
dren, added  74  young  persons  to  the  membership  by  the  rite  of 
confirmation,  and  7  b}^  letter  of  transfer,  had  a  loss  of  20  by 
death  and  removal,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  236  at 
the  close  of  his  pastorate.  He  resigned  in  the  spring  of  1866, 
and  accepted  a  call  from  a  church  in  Knoxville,  Iowa.  During 
his  pastorate  he  organized  the  Fenneltown  congregation,  out  of 
members  who  belonged  to  St.  James'  church. 

In  the  autumn  of  1866  Rev.  J.  D.  English  of  Hartwick, 
New  York,  succeeded  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter  and  was  pastor  for 
nearly  two  years,  conducting  services  on  alternate  Sundays  in 
each  church.  He  was  here  when  the  doctrinal  basis  of  our 
church   was   passing    through  a  test  in    our  synod.     We   are 


,l3.?  COJ^FERENC;;:  .HISTORY. 

glad  ..tp  record  that  St.  James'  church  stood  firm  and  i:.emaiii.ed 
loyal  to  the  Pittsburg  Synod  although  an  earnest  effort  was, made 
,tp  persuade  ^the  people  to  unite  with  th.e  new  synod.  In  the 
summer  of  1866  .Rev.  J.  D.  English  resigned  and  returned 
.to  .Hart wick,  jSTew  York.  He  has  reported  12  infant- baptisms, 
20  confirmations  and  a  communicant  membership  of  266  at 
.the  close  of  his  pastorate.  St.  James'  was  a  strong  congregation 
a,t  that  time  ;  but  has  .-^ince  lost  much  of  its  numerical  strength. 
Many  of  the  old  members  have  died,  and  others  both  old  and 
young  have  removed  out  of  the  bounds  of  the  congregation. 

In  the  autumn  of  186S  Rev.  V.  B.  Chri.sty  of  Pennsylvania 
Ministerian  was  called  and  be,came  the  succeseor  of  R,ev.  J.  D. 
English  and  was  regularly  installed  on  the  ii.tli,  of  April,  1869, 
by  Revs.  H.  W.  Roth  and  J.  Sarv^er.  He  .was  the  earnest  and 
successful  pas.tor  of  St.  James'  church  for  nearly  .8  .years.  He 
^erved  tlie  parish  as  his  predecessors  had  d.Qne,  conducting  ser- 
vices on  alternate  Sundays  in  each  church,  ajid  faithfully  per- 
formed all  ministerial  acts. 

In  1S72,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  tUe  Pitts- 
burg Synod  was  very  satisfactorily  entertained  by  this  congr.e- 
gation.  Brother  Christy  continued  his  work  in  this  parish  till 
April,  ist,  187.6  when  h.e  accepted  a  call  to  the  Irwin  and 
Adamsburg  parish.  He  has  reported  the  following  ministerial 
acts  during  his  pastorate  in  St.  James'  claurch  :  94  baptisms, 
60  con^rmations  and  15  additions  tp  the  jnember^hip  by  l.ett.er  of 
transfer,  and  an  effective  membership  p/  17$. 

.There  was  now  a  readjustment  in  several  parishes.  Salens 
church  was  separated  from  St.  James'  and  .united  jyith  St.  John^s 
of  Manor,  to  form  a  new  parish.  St.  James'  .w.as  united  with 
Salt&burg  and  Fennelton,  and  constituted  a  parish,  ^nd  Rev.  J. 
y.  Marks  was  called  to  become  its  pastor.  He  accepted  the  call 
and  entered  on  his  pastoral  duties  as  soon  as  he.iYas  ordained  by 
t^e  Pittsburg  Synod  which  met  at  Altoona  in  Se.p.temt)er,  1876. 
He  was  pastor  of  this  congregation  f pr  three  ypars,  and  did  gpqd 
work:  here,  but  owing  to  some  disturbance  in  the  churches  he 
resigned  on  the  ist,  of  January,  1879  and  accep.te.fil  ^  call  ,tp 
the  Stone    Creek  parish,  Ohio.     }Ie  has  rgpprted  38  b^tisms, 


ST.    JAMES'    CHURCH,    BELIv  TOWJS'SHIP.  1% 

2$-  confifmatioiis,  and  had  a' coiiimuiiicant  member sliip of ' 1 8'4'. 
In  Jime,  1879,  Rev.  R.  M;  Zimmerman  waS  called  as  the  suc- 
cessor of  Rev:  J.  Y.  Marks,  tie  accepted  the  call  afid  entered' 
on  his  work  immediately  after  his  ordination  by  the  Synod  at 
its  convention  at  Fairview,  Ohio,  in  August,  (1879.)  Hfewas 
pastor  of  this  parish  fc  r  five  years.  He  ministered  regularly  to' 
this  congregation  and  his  services  were  quite  acceptable.  He 
continued  his  pastoral  labors  here  till  Janu&ry,  1884,  wlien  he 
resigned  and-  accepted '  a  call  to  St.  Paul's  chuich  in  Philadel- 
phia. He  has  made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  : 
44  baptisms,  39  confirmations,  anda  loss  of  8  by  deatli  aiid  re- 
moval. 

In  June,  1884,  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer  received  and  accepted  ia' 
call  to  St.  Janies'  and  Saltsburg  parish,  and  became  the  successor 
of  Rev;  R.  M.  Zimmerman.  He  served  this  parish  faithfully  for 
3  years  and  five  months  w^hen  lie  was  elected  missionary  super- 
intended of  the' synod.  He  served  St.  James  chUfch  on  each 
alternate' Sunda}^  as  his  predecessor  did,  and  conscientioiisly 
attended  to  all  the  necessary  pastoral  duties.  He  haS  mside  the 
follouang  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  during  his  pastorate  :  26 
baptisms,  25  confirmations,  and  a  loss  of  13  by  death  and  ^re- 
nroval  and  a.  communicant  membership  of  154  at  the  time  of  his 
resignation',  October  ist,  1887; 

On  January  "ist,  1 888,"  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  W.  0-. 
Hudsoti,  of  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  to  become  the  successor 
of  Rev.  D.  M;  Kemerer.  He  accepted  the  call  aild  begaii  his 
pastoral  wOrk  on  the  ist  of  February,'  and  sef\^ed  this  congrega- 
tion for  8  years.  He  had  a  fair  measure  'of  success  in  liis  work) 
considering  that  the  'old  cotigregatibn  wa^"  really  in  a  "State  of  de- 
cline oh  account  of  the  death  arid  removal  of 'so  many  of  its 
m'einbers.  On  the  ist'of  Janukfy,  iSg'd,  he  resigned  this  parish  ; 
but  St.  John's,  Saltsbu'rg' and  Fenrieltbn  chtlrch  refused  to  ac- 
cept his  resigftatiori,  arid  he  waiS'  prevailed  upoii  to  continue  as 
their  pastbr. 

St.  Janies'"  united  with  St.  Andrews,  of  Avonmore,  arid 
wei'e  coristituted  the  St. '  Jatiies'  arid  AvdnmorC  parish.  Rev. 
W.  G.  Hudson  has  made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial 


184  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

acts  in  the  vSt.  James'  congregation  during  his  pastorate:  52 
baptisms,  77  additions  to  the  communicant  membership  by  the 
rite  of  confirmation  and  a  membership  of  135,  showing  a  loss  of 
T09  in  the  8  years  of  his  pastorate. 

In  December,  1896,  Rev.   A.  M.   Strauss  accepted  a  call  to 
vSt.  James'  and  Avonmore  parish  and  served  diligently  for   five 
vears.     He  conducted  services  in  each  church  on  every  Sunday 
and    faithfiilly     performed   all   necessary    ministerial   acts   and 
pastoral  duties.     He  has  made  the  following  report  of  his  work 
in  this  congregation  during  his  short    pastorate  :     He  performed 
19  baptisms,    and  added   28  to  the  communicant   membership  of 
the  church  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,   had  a  loss  of  36  by  death 
and  removal,   and  a  communicpi't    membership    of   120.     Rev. 
Strauss  resigned  on  the  ist  of  January,   1901.     The  parish  has 
been  vacant  since  that  time  and  has  not  been  regularly  supplied. 
Mr.  Willis  J.  Beck,  of  Mount  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  served 
the  parish  quite   acceptably  for  three  months  during  the  summer. 
It  is  still  vacant  (December,  1901,)  and  is  looking  for  a   pastor. 
The  Reformed  people  have  not  had  services  at  St,  James'  church 
for  a  long  time  and   their  congregation  is  practically  dissolved. 
The  Lutheran  congregation   has  also  been  greatly   reduced  in 
numbers  by  death  and  removal,  but  especially  by  new  congrega- 
tions that  have  been  organized  out  of  its  material.     Fennel  town 
congregation  was  entirely  organized  out  of  members  from  St, 
James'  church.     St.  John's,  Saltsburg,  has  taken   quite  a  num- 
ber and  St.    Andrew's,  Avonmore,  is  largely  made  up  of  mem- 
bers from  the  old  church,  and  Greensburg  and  other  towms  have 
profited  by  the  loss  of  vSt.  James'.     But  the  old  mother  church 
is  still  alive  and  must  continue   to  live.     The  last  report  in  the 
minutes  of  synod  give  the  membership  as  112.     It  has  a  Sunday 
vSchool  of   some    70   scholars   with    teachers    and    officers.     Mr. 
Jesse  Weigle  is  the  superintendent.     The  school  is  doing  quite 
well,     considering     the    long    vacanc}^  of    the   pastorate.     The 
literature  of  the  General  Council  is  used.     The  following  named 
j>ersons  are  the  present    church  council  :     T.    B.  Clawson,    A. 
Smeltzer,  W.  R.  Bowman,  Albertus  Bortz,  J.    Kuhns,  J.  Claw- 
son  and  H.  Galagher. 


-MlrllAEL     FA'STKK. 


D.     1).     Mn.LKR, 


W.     A.     ('.     MOKLT.KR 


GEORGK    \\\     SPIQQLK. 


ST.  JAMEs'  CHURCH,    BEI.I.   TOWNSHIP.  185 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  pastors  :  Rev.  John  M.  Steck, 
1800-1829;  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  1829-1847  ;  Rev.  John 
Rugan,  1S47-1851  ;  Rev.  J.  N.  Biirket,  1851-1853  ;  Rev.  Charles 
H.  Hersh,  May.  1853,  April,  1856;  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter,  April, 
J856,  April,  1866;  Rev.  J.  D.  English,  October,  1866,  Septem- 
ber, 1868  ;  Bev.  V.  B.  Christy,  November,  1868,  April,  1876; 
Rev.  J.  Y.  Marks,  September,  1876,  January,  1879  ;  Rev.  R.  M. 
Zimmerman,  June,  1879  January,  1884;  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer, 
June,  1884,  October,  1887 ;  Rev.  W.  G.  Hudson,  January, 
1888,  January,  1896  ;  Rev.  A.  M.  Strauss,  December,  1896, 
January,  1901. 


XV.  ST.  JAMES'  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH, 
YOUNGSTOWN.   WESTMORELAND  CO.,   PA. 

Youugstown,  the  first  incorporated  borough  in  Unity  town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  oldest  villages  in  the  county.  It  is  situated 
on  the  west  side,  at  the  foot  hills  of  Chestnut  Ridge,  and  on  the 
old  State  road  and  the  Pittsburg  and  Philadelphia  pike,  half  way 
between  Greensburg  and  Ligonier. 

The  first  house  built  near  this  place  was  a  hotel  known  as 
Reed's  Tavern,  situated  on  Nine  Mile  Run. 

Alexander  Young,  an  early  settler  in  this  section,  owned 
the  land  on  which  most  of  the  town  has  been  built,  and  from 
him  it  derives  its  name.  The  exact  date  of  the  founding  of  this 
town  is  not  known  ;  but  as  early  as  1789,  when  the  township  was 
formed,  there  was  quite  a  village  here,  and  some  of  the  troops 
were  encamped  here  and  at  Reed's  Tavern  during  the  Insurrec- 
tion of  1794. 

There  was  quite  an  old  settlement  in  Unity  township,  for 
we  are  informed  that  the  Unity  Presbyterian  church  was  started 
as  early  as  1774,  when  the  land  on  which  that  church  stands  was 
entered.  The  Presbyterians  were  here  earlier  than  the  Luther- 
ans and  Reformed  people,  but  in  the  latter  part  of  the  Eighteenth 


1 86  CONFEREJfCE   msTORY, 

centary,    the   tide   of    enlegratioti     from   the  Kas'tetti"  cottHties 
brought  across  the  AHeghenies  a' large  number  of  GenriaA'-pefti- 
ptei     Mail}' of  these  settled  along  the  Loj'alhanna  and  itstribft- 
lapies;,  others  along  Chestilut    Ridge  some,    in    the   directtolt^ ■  oP ' 
Gnsensburg;- and  others  tbwards  lyigonier.     This  section  of -the' 
country  was  chosen  because 'the  land  w^s  good;  and' also  becau??^'' 
it  was  in  the   vicinity  of  forts?  and  rafilitary   posts,   and  oh  -the' 
state  rOad.     There  werti  a  number  of  forts,    easily  accessible  '  to  • 
the 'Settlers — Fort  Shippen  on  the  Loyalhanna,  Miller's  Fort,  and- 
Fort  lyigonier.'     But  the  settlers  along- the  Ridge  had  to  bear  the' 
same  trials  and  privations  that  were  the  lot  of  the  pioneers  in 
other  parts  of  the  country  ;  for  the   same  conditions  were    found 
here  that  existed  in  St.  Paul's,  Ridge,  and  St.  James',  Ligonier, 
and  other  communities  to  which    reference  has  been  made.     The 
pioneers  came  into  a  new  and  wild  country  where  they   had  to 
shape- and  fashion  things:  to  meet  their  necessities.     They,  had  to 
clear  away  the  forests,  build  homes  and  provide  sustenance  for 
themselves  and  'for   those   dependiiig    upon   them,    and   protect 
themselves  and  their  households  from  the  dangers  that  threatened 
them  in  their  frontier  life. 

They  had  not  only  to  sUbdiie  the  land,  and  prepare  it  to  pro- 
duce food  ;  but  they  ■  had- also  to  subdite  the  native  inhabitants 
that  w^ere  ever5^where  a  menace  'to  the  white  man.  These  were 
years  of  trial  ai4d  warfare  '  which  imposed -heavy  burdens  upon 
the  people  ;  not  a  few  hid  to  undergo  the  dangers  and  fortunes 
of'the  camp  and  field,  but  they  did  not-  forget  theit  church  and 
ih&t  du'ty  to'  God.' 

Before  a  chilirch  was  -built,  religious  services  were  held  in 
private-  houses.  Tradition  relates  that  Rev.  John  M.  Stecik 
preached  in  ^the  homes  of  H&nr}'  Kuhris-(K-«nize),  Daniel  KUhfis. 
and  others-.  As  soon,"  however,  as  the  settlers  had  met  their 
most  urgent  needs,  the}'  made  provision  for  church  and  school. 
HereVas-elSewhere,  a  fechool' house  was' built  which  served  as  a 
place  of  ■wO'Tshi 'pas-  well  as -for  school  purposes.  A  preaching 
stati-On  wats -established  about  the  ye^Y  iSoo,  a  provisional  organi- 
zation .fonmed-,t  and  setvicdsi  wer'e' Cond-ticted  as  often'  as  time  and 
circiunstaiic^-  wfould  pdrmit.  ^ 


ST.    JAMiSS'  ■OHTJiReH,   -YOWNQSTOWN.  •  r.87 

-.When  Bather  Steck  had  all  Westmoreland  county  arid 
.adjacent -parts  as  a  parish,  and.when  his  principal  congregations 
•had. only. one  service  a  month,  it  is  reasonable  to  conclude  that 
vhis  preaching  stations  and  distant  points  could  not  be  reached 
often'^rtUan  once  in  two  or  three  months. 

After  the  War  of  181 2  was  over, .and  people: ha'd  had  a  little 
time  to  recover  from  its  drain  and  waste,  they  took  steps  to  build 
the  I^ord  a  house.  It  ^was  a  union  church,  like  all  .the 
others,  built,  awued  and  lised  jointly  by  the  I^utheran  and 
Reformed  congregations.  The  following  article  of  agreement 
was  adopted  by  the  two  congregations .  before  they  built  the 
church.     The  document  is   'n'.ed  January  14th,  1815. 

"We  the  members  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  and 
■Reformed  congregations  of  Youngstown,  Petmsylvania,  agree  to 
build  a  union  church  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  for  the  propaga- 
tion of  his  word  ;  .and  it  shall  be  built  and  governed  by  the  fol- 
lowing rules  and  regulations: 

1.  Both  congregations  shall  have  equal  rights  in  the 
church.  Each  shall  hold  services  at  their  time  without  inter- 
ference of  the  other. 

2.  The  money  now  i-n  ■the  treasury,  and  'the  fruits  and  gifts 
donated  shall  be  applied  to  the  erection  of  the  church,  and  shall 
.jiot  »be  used  ;for  .any  other  purpose  : 

3.  All  money  ooljected  as  .offerings  in  tlie  church  shall 
remain  in  the  common  treasury  Sox  necessary  expenses. 

.4.  l!>3'o  minister  ghall  be  allowed  to  :preach  in  this  church 
unless  he'  comes  properly  recommended. 

5.  Should  the  officers  of  the  congregations  decide  to  build 
a  parochial  school  house  on  the  church  lot,  they  sshall  not  be 
hindered. 

6.  Both  congregations  shall  strive  -to  keep  -peace  in  -the 
church  ;  ajid  if  any  one  disturbs  the  |)eace,  and  after  proper 
warning,  refjise  to  be  reconciled  and  to  live  in  harmony  with  his 
brethren,  he  shall  be  excluded  froni  the  congregation. 

Si.g;ned  by 

Dante-l  Kuhns,, 
John  Brinkue; 
WlLUAM  M-cotis, 
Trustees  pid  B#lding  -Committee  of  the  tw®  OMjigFegiaiticitfe. 


1 88  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

This  historic  document  of  1815  is  evidence  that  both  the 
lyUtheran  and  Reformed  '^congregations  existed  and  were  per- 
manently organized  before  this  time.  The  church  was  completed 
and  dedicated  in  the  autumn  of  181 5,  pastors  Steck  and  Weber 
conducting  the  dedicatory  services.  It  was  30x40  feet  in  size, 
built  of  hewn  logs,  after  the  style  of  churches  of  that  day,  plainly 
finished  and  simple  and  primitive  in  all  of  its  appointments.  It 
stood  more  than  fifty  years  and  served  two  generations  as  a  place 
of  worship.  It  was  repaired  several  times,  and  some  improve- 
ment was  made  on  its  original  finish  and  furnishment.  It  stood 
longer  than  any  other  log  church  in  this  county,  not  being 
replaced  by  another  until  1867. 

The  growth  of  this  congregation  was  slow  in  its  early 
history,  and  for  abvious  reasons.  The  country  was  thinly 
settled.  There  was  too  little  church  services  and  too  little 
pastoral  care  to  encourage  rapid  growth.  I^ater,  however,  the 
membership  began  to  grow,  and  there  has  been  a  steady  increase 
to  the  present  time.  It  has  maintained  itself  far  better  than 
many  other  congregations  in  the  rural  districts. 

Ten  pastors  have  served  this  congregation  since  its  organiza- 
tion. Rev.  John  M.  Steck  was  the  first,  his  pastorate  extending 
from  1800  to  1827.  With  his  vast  field  of  labor  he  could  not 
give  it  the  service  that  it  needed,  but  he  did  all  that  his  strength 
and  circumstances  enabled  him  to  do.  He  laid  the  foundations. 
He  worked  with  self  denial  and  many  hindrances  ;  but  the  seed 
which  he  sowed  brought  forth  fruit  in  later  years. 

In  1827,  when  he  began  to  feel  the  weight  of  years,  he  re- 
signed this  church  and  placed  it  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Jonas 
Mechling,  who  was  then  young,  full  of  vigor  and  enthusiasm. 
He  served  the  congregation  faithfully  and  acceptably,  and  more 
frequently  than  his  predecessor,  thus  infusing  new  life  into  it. 
He  gathered  the  people,  greatlj^  strengthened  the  congregation 
and  placed  it  on  a  good  footing.  He  was  pastor  for  thirty-one 
years.  He  saw  a  whole  generation  pass  away  and  a  new  gene- 
ration rise  before  him.  Think  what  that  means  !  What  a  long 
list  of  ministerial  acts  it  records  !  How  many  sermons  preached, 
how  many  prayers  offered,   how  many  children  blessed  in  holy 


ST,    JAMES'    CHURCH,    YOUNGSTOWN,  1 89 

baptism,  how  many  adults  instructed  in  Christian  doctrine  and 
consecrated  to  full  membership  by  the  laying  on  of  hands  and 
prayer,  how  many  received  the  holy  communion  from  his  hands, 
how  many  of  the  sons  and  daughters  he  joined  in  the  sacred 
bonds  of  marriage,  and  how  many  of  the  fathers  and  mothers, 
and  persons  of  all  ages,  he  laid  away  in  God's  acre  with  the  ben- 
diction  of  a   Christian  burial  ! 

In  1848  Rev.  Mecliling  accepted  a  call  from  the  Greensburg 
parish,  yet  he  continued  his  pastoral  care  over  this  church  until 
1858,  becaUvSe  no  suitable  pastor  could  be  secured.  At  the  close 
of  his  pastorate  he  held  a  communion  at  which  ninety-five  per- 
sons participated,  indicatin^^  that  there  was  a  membership  of  at 
least  one  hundred  and  twentv-five. 

In  1859  Rev.  Isaac  O.  P.  Baker  became  the  successor  of  Rev. 
Mechling,  whose  parishioner  he  had  been  for  a  number  of  years. 
For  three  years  he  ministered  to  this  people  in  German  and 
English.  He  conducted  services  on  every  alternate  Sunday, 
and  did  earnest  and  successful  work.  His  career  seemed  just 
begun.  He  had  become  acquainted  with  the  people,  and  un- 
derstood their  needs.  They,  in  turn,  were  beginning  to  learn  his 
character  and  appreciate  his  worth,  when,  on  December  loth, 
1862,  in  the  morning  of  his  ministry,  and  on  the  threshold  of  a 
life  of  usefulness,  his  work  was  ended  by  death. 

After  a  lapse  of  several  months,  in  the  summer  of  1863, 
Rev.  G.  W.  Busby  was  called.  He  was  pastor  of  the  congrega- 
tion almost  six  years,  but  ministered  only  in  the  English  lan- 
guage. His  services  were  acceptable  to  the  English  speaking 
people  ;  but,  as  a  number  of  members  desired  German  services, 
Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  then  pastor  of  the  Ligonier  parish,  was 
called  as  associate  pastor.  Whilst  his  services  were  always  ac- 
ceptable, they  were  especially  desirable  at  funerals,  and  at  the 
celebration  of  the  holy  communion.  He  continued  his  labors  in 
this  congregation  until  1865,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  St. 
Peter's,  Lancaster,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Busby  continued  his  work  in  this  church  four  years 
longer.  During  his  ministry  several  important  events  occurred. 
In  1868  the  union  between  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congre- 


igO  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

gations  was  dissolved  by  mutual  agreement.  The  old  log 
church  was  given  up,  as  it  was  no  longer  fit  for  use,  and  the  lot 
on  which  it  stood,  was,  by  common  consent,  made  a  part  of  the 
cemeter3^  grounds. 

Each  congregation  being  independent,  now  purchased  its 
own  lot  and  built  its  own  church.  The  Reformed  removed  to 
the  main  street  of  the  town.  The  lyUtherans  secured  a  site  near 
the  old  lot  and  built  a  neat  and  substantial  brick  church*  It  is 
Gothic  in  style  of  architecture,  40x60  feet  in  size ;  it  is  well 
built,  neatly  finished  and  plainly  but  comfortably  furnished. 
The  entire  cost  of  the  edifice  was  covered  by  $6,000.  The  seat- 
ing capacity  is  about  400.  The  church  was  completed  and  de- 
dicated in  the  autumn  of  1867.  Rev.  Busby  continued  his  pas- 
toral relations  until  July,  1869,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  a 
parish  in  Ohio. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  a  number  of  the  leading  members  were 
dissatisfied  with  the  services  all  in  English,  a  minister  was  called 
from  the  Joint  Synod  of  Ohio  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Amos  Poor- 
man,  who  ministered  to  the  congregation  for  two  years.  He 
was  succeeded,  in  1871,  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Weisman,  also  a  minister 
of  the  Joint  Synod,  who  was  pastor  for  five  years. 

The  change  of  synodical  relations  caused  no  little  friction 
in  the  congregation,  and  threatened  to  split  it  in  two.  This, 
together  with  some  other  matters,  such  as  close  communion, 
pulpit  fellowship,  and  the  secret  society  question,  on  which  Rev. 
Weisman  took  a  very  radical  position,  was  the  cause  of  his 
resignation. 

We  have  no  record  of  the  ministerial  acts  of  these  pastors. 
We  know  that  owing  to  the  division  of  sentiment  caused  by  tbe 
change  of  synodical  relations,  the  growth  of  the  congregation 
was  greatly  hindered. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Weisman,  a  vacancy  of  sev- 
eral months  occurred.  On  the  first  of  March,  1877,  Rev.  H.  L. 
McMurry  was  called  as  pastor  of  the  Ligonier  parish.  Soon 
afterwards  he  was  elected  pastor  of  St.  James,  Youngstown, 
which  then  became  a  part  of  the  Ligonier  parish.  He  served 
this  congregation  acceptably,  on  each  alternate  Sunday,  for  five 


ST.    JAMES'    CHURCH,    YOUNGSTOWN.  191 

years,  administering  the  holy  communion  twice  a  year,  and  per- 
forming all  necessary  ministerial  acts. 

During  his  pastorate  the  people  were  again  united.  There 
was  encouraging  growth  in  the  membership,  an  old  debt  resting 
on  the  church  was  cancelled,  and  the  congregation  returned  to 
its  former  S3'nodical  relations  as  a  member  of  the  District  Synod 
of  Ohio.  Rev.  McMurry  resigned  the  L,igonier  parish  in  May, 
1882,  to  accept  a  parish  in  Ohio.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J. 
ly.  Smith  in  July  of  the  same  year,  whose  pastorate  extended 
over  nearly  ten  years.  He  conducted  services  in  this  church  on 
every  alternate  Sunday,  and  administered  the  holy  communion 
twice  a  year.  He  instructed  catechetical  classes  every  two 
years,  and  confirmed  a  large  number  of  young  people. 

He  had  eminent  success  in  awakening  the  interest  and 
developing  the  strength  and  liberality  of  the  people.  The  growth 
in  membership  financial  ability  and  efficency  was  such  that 
during  his  pastorate  this  one  parish  was  successfully  divided  into 
three.  Important  repairs  and  improvements  were  made  in  the 
church.  After  a  general  renovation.  The  old  windows  were 
replaced  by  new  ones  of  decorated,  stained  glass,  and  a  new 
organ  was  purchased.  Not  long  after  these  improven:ents  were 
made  the  church  was  struck  b)'  lightning,  causing  serious 
damage  which  had  to  be  repaired  at  considerable  expense. 

In  April,  1892,  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  accepted  a  call  from  Christ 
church,  E.  E.  Pittsburg.  His  ministerial  acts,  as  far  as  recorded 
in  the  minutes  of  Synod,  show  that  he  baptized  107  children ; 
added  87  by  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer  ;  suffered  a  loss 
of  42  by  death  and  removal,  and  had  a  communicant  membership 
of  154  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate. 

On  the  ist  of  June,  1892,  Rev.  I.  K.  Wismer  was  called  and 
has  been  pastor  of  the  parish  down  to  the  present  time.  He  has 
conducted  services  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  morning  in  St. 
James'  church,  and  performed  all  ministerial  acts  and  pastoral 
duties. 

There  has  been  a  steady  increase  in  the  membership  during 
the  present  pastorate,  and  the  congregation  has  now  decided  to 
be  independent.     Trinity  church,  Latrobe,   made   this  overture 


192  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

for  the  division  of  this  parish.  It  sent  a  request  to  the  Southern 
Conference,  convened  at  St.  Paul's  church  on  October  2:,  1901, 
asking  to  be  constituted  a  separate  parish,  in  order  to  have  the 
entire  time  and  services  of  its  pastor.  After  due  consideration 
of  the  condition  and  needs  of  Trinit}'  church,  the  Conference 
granted  the  request,  and  appointed  a  committee  of  three  pastors 
to  meet  the  council  of  St.  James'  church,  Youngstown,  to  carry- 
out  the  action  of  Conference.  The  committee  met  said  council 
on  the  7th  of  November,  and  laid  the  action  of  Conference  before 
them,  as  instructed,  and,  after  a  full  discussion  of  the  needs  of 
Trinity,  as  well  as  the  condition  and  prospects  of  St.  James,  the 
council  accepted  the  action  of  Conference,  which  had  constituted 
St.  James   an   independent  parish. 

On  November  I otli  Rev.  Wi:wr.cr  offered  his  resignation  to 
St.  James'  church,  to  take  effect  on  January  ist,  1902,  when  the 
congregation  will  be  in  a  position  to  elect  its  own  pastor.  He 
has  made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  during  his 
pastorate  :  He  baptized  132  children,  added  94  to  the  com- 
municant membership  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  and  18  by 
letters  of  transfer;  a  loss  of  34  by  dentli  and  36  by  removal, 
leaving  a  membership  of  227. 

This  congregation  is  a  good  illustration  of  the  good  effect 
of  decreasing  the  parish  and  increasing  the  service.  Under 
Father  Steck,  the  parish  included  all  Westmoreland  county  ; 
under  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  it  consisted  of  eight  to  ten  congrega- 
tions; under  Rev.  I.  O.  P.  Baker,  six  congregations.  During  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith  the  lines  were  drawn  still  closer, 
and  it  was  reduced  to  four  cor.gregations.  Since  Rev.  Wismer's 
coming,  it  has  had  only  two.  and  now  each  congregation  is  a 
separate  parish.  As  we  look  along  the  line  we  see  that  the 
increase  of  the  congregation  was  proportional  with  the  decrease 
of  the  size  of    the  parishes  and  the  increase  of  services. 

It  has  now  reached  the  happy  position  to  which  every  con- 
gregation should  aspiry,  namely,  to  have  services  on  every 
Lord's  Day.  This  is  the  normal  condition  of  every  church. 
We  congratulate  this  congregation  on  this  attainment,  and  look 
for  good  results  from  it.     The  congregation,  in  union  with  the 


ST.    JAMES'  CHURCH,  YOUNSTOWN.  1 93 

Reformed,  purchased  a  plot  of  ground,  adjoining  the  old  oury- 
ing  ground,  and  organized  a  cemetery  company,  and  are  now 
jointly  managing  the  cemetery  under  articles  of  incorporation. 

St.  James  has  a  Sunday  school  which  has  been  carried  on  as 
a  Lutheran  school  ever  since  the  present  church  was  built.  It 
numbers  over  one  hundred  scholars  in  regular  attendance,  and 
is  organized  according  to  the  system  of  Graded  Lessons,  and  is 
using  the  General  Council  literature. 

The  following  named  persons  compose  the  present  church 
council :  Deacons,  Jacob  J.  Karns,  A.  J.  Kells,  John  G.  Karns, 
J.  W.  Brindle,  Frank  Shirey,  C.  W.  Smith ;  trustees,  B.  F. 
Geiger,  WilHam  A.  Bossart,  D.  C.  Shirey. 

The  list  of  pastors  ; — Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  1 800-1827  >  Rev. 
Jonas  Mechling,  1 827-1858;  Rev.  I.  O.  P.  Baker,  1 859-1862  ; 
Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  1863-1865 ;  Rev.  G.  W.  Busby,  1863-1869; 
Rev.  Amos  Poorman,  1 869-1  87  i ;  Rev.  W.  A.  Weisman,  i  87  i- 
1876;  Rev.  H.  L.  McMurray,  1 877-1 882  ;  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith, 
D.  D.  1 882-1 892  ;  Rev.  I.  K.  Wismer,  i  892-1  902. 


XVI.     EMANUEL'S   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  FRANKLIN  TOWNSHIP,  WEST- 
MORELAND COUNTY,  PENNA. 

Franklin  township  was  organized  between  the  years  1785 
and  1788,  but  there  were  settlers  here  long  before  that  time. 
Land  was  entered  as  early  as  1769.  Robert  Hays  settled  here  in 
that  year,  and  Michael  Rugh  followed  in  1775,  and  one  of  the 
Berlins  in  1774.  Among  the  principal  names,  of  German  de- 
cent, that  have  come  down  to  us,  are  the  Hayses,  Rughs.  Berlins, 
Hills,  Drums.  Snyders,  Hankeys,  Starks,  Klines,  Kuhns,  Ho- 
baughs,  Rubrights,  Ramaleys,  Lauffers,  Longs,  and  Haymakers. 
Prominent  among  the  English  names  are  the  Duffs,  Chambers, 
and  others  well  known  among  us. 


194  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

The  same  conditions  are  found  here  that  were  found  in  the 
other  early  churches  noted.  The  same  trials  had  to  be  endured, 
and  the  same  burdens  had  to  be  borne  that  were  the  common 
lot  of  pioneer  settlers.  Robert  Hays  and  his  son  were  taken 
captive  by  the  Indians  and  held  for  three  years.  In  1778  Mi- 
chael Rugh  and  his  family  were  also  carried  away.  They  were 
first  carried  to  Venango,  later  to  Canada  and  were  held  in  cap- 
tivity three  years.  After  their  release  they  were  sent  to  New 
York  and  from  there  returned  home. 

Jacob  Berhn  came  to  this  section  of  country  in  1794,  when 
troops  were  sent  into  Westmoreland  county  to  put  down  the 
Whisky  Insurrection.  He  came  first  on  a  visit  to  his  uncle  who 
had  settled  here  many  years  before  ;  was  pleased  with  the  coun- 
try, and  settled  here  soon  afterwards.  He  is  the  grand  ancestor 
of  the  well  known  Berlin  family  in  this  county. 

Whilst  this  was  a  good  settlement  yet  no  church  was  organ- 
ized for  a  number  of  years.  One  reason  was  because  the  people 
were  widely  scattered;  many,  however,  attended  services  at  other 
places — some  at  Manor  church,  others  at  Beamers'  and  at  Hank- 
ey's.  Services  were  also  held  for  years  in  private  houses  and 
scliDol  houses.  There  was  a  provisional  organization  for  some 
time  before  a  permanent  one  gas  effected.  Emanuel's  church  was 
organized  in  1S20,  after  which  more  frequent  services  were  con- 
ducted. For  several  years  services  were  held  in  the  old  log 
building,  which  had  been  used  as  a  blockhouse.  This  old  log 
house  was  a  landmark  in  this  community,  as  it  had  served  the 
fathers  as  a  fort  and,  also,  as  a  place  of  worship.  Its  ruins  have 
only  recentl}'  been  removed. 

In  1828  a  move  was  made  by  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
people,  jointly,  to  build  a  church.  Philip  Drum  and  Peter 
Hill  donated  the  ground  needed  as  a  site  both  for  a  church  and 
for  a  hurrying  place. 

The  following  is  the  method  proposed  :  The  people  of  the 
neighborhood  met  and  agreed  to  build,  and  that  each  member 
should  do  a  certain  part.  Those  who  had  farms  and  timber 
agreed  to  cut  and  hew  a  certain  number  of  logs  and  deliver 
them    at    the    place  the  church  was    to  be  built.     In  due  time 


EMANUEIy'S   CHURCH,    EXPORT.  195 

the  logs  were  hewed  and  hauled  to  the  appointed  place,  when 
the  members  of  the  two  congregations,  and  others,  assembled 
and  raised  the  building.  Others  who  had  not  contributed  logs 
did  work.  The  carpenter  work,  the  plastering,  and  whatever 
else  had  to  be  done  in  the  completion  of  a  plain  log  building, 
was  done  without  compensation,  so  that  when  the  church  was 
finished  it  was  dedicated  free  of  debt.  It  was  set  apart  to  the 
worship  of  God  by  the  I^utheran  and  Reformed  pastors  as  soon 
■  as   it   was  completed. 

In  1845,  when  the  buiding  had  become  too  small,  and  was  no 
longer  fit  for  occupancy,  it  was  enlarged  by  taking  out  the  east 
end  wall  and  adding  fourteen  feet  to  it.  The  whole  building 
was  weather-boarded,  thoroughly  repaired  and  greatly  improved. 
It  served  a  good  purpose  that  it  was  used  as  a  house  of 
worship  for  over  thirty  years. 

In  1856  a  move  was  made  to  build  a  new  church.  A  plan 
was  adopted,  subscriptions  solicited,  and  the  contract  for  its 
erection  let  to  John  W.  Kuhns  on  the  12th  of  September,  1856. 
for  $2, 700.  It  is  built  of  brick,  Gothic  style  of  architecture, 
44x65  feet  in  size,  20  feet  high  to  the  square,  and  has  an  oval 
ceiling.     It  is  neatly  built  and  plainly  furnished. 

The  building  committee  were  :  John  Rubright  and  Peter 
Hill,  Reformed,  and  John  Stark  and  John  Hobaugh,  Lutheran. 
The  contract  provided  that  the  church  should  be  finished  by 
November  ist,  1857,  but  it  was  not  completed  till  the  spring  of 
1858,  and  was  dedicated  on  Easter  Sunday,  Revs.  Jonas  Mech- 
ling,  N.  P.  Hacke  and  R.  P.  Thomas  were  present  and  took 
part  in  the  consecration  services.  The  Emanuel's  congregation 
now  took  a  new  start  and  made  commendable  progress  for  a 
few   years. 

The  Hills  church  was  really  begun  by  the  Reformed  people, 
and  they  have  stood  right  by  it  all  the  time,  and  today  we  see 
the  result.  They  have  a  large,  flourishing  congregation,  while 
we  have  a  mere  handful  of  people.  Our  interest  died  out  here, 
like  the  Reformed  in  several  places  noted,  because  it  was  neg- 
lected.    The  Reformed  congregation,  perhaps,  had  the  best  start, 


196  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

but  that  would  not  have  made  much  difference,  if  we  had  looked 
after  our  interests  properly  after  we  did  begin  work. 

This  field  was  long  neglected  before  any  organization  was 
effected,  but  after  the  congregation  was  organized  it  suffered 
snch  long  vacancies  that  its  growth  was  greatly  hindered. 
Much  valuable  material  that  ought  to  have  been  gathered  for 
the  upbuilding  of  our  church,  was  absorbed  by  other  denomina- 
tions, especially  by  the  Reformed  congregation,  which  was  in 
close  fellowship  with  ours. 

Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  who  organized  this  church,  was  pastor 
of  it  for  about  ten  years,  but  his  field  was  so  large  that  this 
distant  congregation  received  only  a  small  part  of  his  time  and 
service.  He  ministered  to  these  people  as  often  as  time  and 
strength  permitted,  but  when  we  remember  the  extent  of  his 
field,  and  that  his  strongest  congregation  had  only  one  service  a 
month,  we  can  readily  see  that  a  small  and  distant  church  like 
this  could  not  be  reached  oftner  than  once  in  two  or  three 
months.  Under  these  circumstances  rapid  growth  could  not  be 
expected.  It  is  a  wonder  that  it  grew  at  all,  or  that  it  even 
maintained  an  existence. 

When  Father  John  M.  Steck  died,  in  1830,  his  son,  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck,  became  his  successor  but  he  was  not  able  to 
do  more  for  this  field  than  his  venerable  father ;  though  his 
strength  was  much  greater,  it  was  not  equal  to  the  increasing 
demands  of  this  vast  parish.  He  served  it  as  often  as  circum- 
stances permitted,  but  not  with  such  regularity  as  was  necessary 
to  insure  its  growth  and  success.  He  maintained  a  pastoral  care 
till  1843,  when  Rev.  Jacob  Zimmerman,  of  the  Joint  Synod  of 
Ohio,  became  pastor,  in  connection  with  a  congregation  in 
Allegheny  township,  known  as  the  "Klingensmith  Church," 
which  was  dissolved  many  years  ago.  He  served  both  con- 
gregations for  about  five  years,  and  conducted  services  on 
every  alternate  Sunday.  In  1847,  owing  to  some  physical  disa- 
bility, he  resigned  and  soon  afterwards  retired  from  the  active 
ministry. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Zimmerman,  Rev.  Daniel 


Emanuel's  church,  export.  197 

Mayer  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  became  pastor,  but  he  also  minis- 
tered to  this  congregation  only  every  two  months,  as  his  prede- 
cessor had  done,  consequently  could  not  do  much  in  the  perma- 
nent upbuilding  of  it  during  his  short  pastorate.  After  his  res- 
ignation, in  the  autumn  of  1849,  it  suffered  a  long  vacancy,  of 
which  notice  is  taken  by  the  Reformed  historian. 

In  1 85 1,  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  of  the  Greensburg  parish, 
rendered  valuable  services,  and,  later,  took  full  charge,  and  exer- 
cised pastoral  care  over  it  till  his  death.  For  several  years  his 
son,  Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  assisted  him.  The  latter  frequently 
conducted  services  here  and  also  held  a  number  of  communion 
services  but  his  labors  were  discontinued  after  1865,  he  having 
accepted  a  call  elsewhere. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  J.  Mechling,  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  took 
charge  of  this  church,  in  connection  with  Manor,  and  was  pastor 
about  six  years.  He  rendered  regular  and  faithful  service.  During 
his  pastorate  this  congregation,  as  well  as  St.  John's,  Manor, 
united  with  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

After  Rev.  Fink's  resignation.  Manor  and  Hills  were  consti- 
tuted a  parish  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Sheffer  became  pastor  on  April  i, 
1875,  and  served  it  for  one  year  and  three  months.  His  services 
were  well  received,  but  his  pastorate  was  too  short  to  do  much 
effective  work.  He  baptized  several  children,  confirmed  four 
adults,  conducted  14  funerals  and  reported  35  communicant 
members. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Bauman,  of  the  Delmont  parish,  succeeded  Rev. 
Sheffer  soon  after  the  latter' s  resignation,  on  July  i,  1876,  and 
served  it  till  April,  1877,  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  pro- 
fessorship in  Muhlenberg  College. 

In  the  summer  of  1877,  Rev.  Enoch  Smith  of  the  First 
Church,  Greensburg,  supplied  it  for  a  few  months,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  the  same  year  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  of  Zion  church, 
Greensburg,  became  temporary  pastor,  and  served  it,  in  connec- 
tion with  Manor,  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  from  October,  1877, 
till  November,  1878,  preaching  the  word  and  administering  the 
holy  sacraments. 


ig8  CONTTERETnTCE  HISTORT. 

After  the  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Ulery,  Rev.  V.  B.  Christ}^  of 
Irwin,  rendered  services  for  nearly  one  year. 

In  the  autumn  of  1879  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  of  Delmont,  was 
called  and  became  pastor  and  served  quite  acceptably  for  a  period 
of  three  years  and  six  months.  He  resigned  on  April  ist,  1883, 
to  accept  a  call  from  St.  Paul's  church,  Pleasant  Unity.  He 
made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  Baptized  five 
children,  added  five  adults  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  several 
by  letters  of  transfer,  conducted  a  number  of  funerals  and  had  a 
membership,  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate,  of  35. 

In  the  summer  of  1883,  Rev.  J.  W.  Myers,  of  Etelmont  parish 
became  pastor,  and  preached  on  every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon 
till  June,  1886.  During  his  pastorate  several  important  events 
occurred  as  noted  in  the  following  paragraphs: 

By   an    article   of  agreement,    dated   vSeptember    22,    1883 
the  dispute  between  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  congregations 
of  Hill's    church,   was    adjusted  and  the   Lutherans   sold  their 
interest  to  the  Refonned  people,  and  removed  to  Export. 

A  lot  was  secured  from  Mr.  John  Duff,  along  side  of  the  old 
log  church  known  as  "The  Tent."  It  may  be  interesting  to 
know  why  this  old  historic  place  was  called  "The  Tent." 
Grandmother  Holloway,  of  blessed  memor}-,  used  to  tell  that 
long  before  a  church  was  built  a  tent  was  erected  in  which  ser- 
vices were  held,  and  that  she  often  worshiped  there.  Hence  the 
place,  as  well  as  the  log  church,  was  called  "The  Tent."  The 
ruins  of  ihe  old  log  church,  which  w^as  built  by  the  Seceders  and 
was  very  primitive  in  all  its  appointments,  were  only  removed 
when  the  new  church  was  erected. 

Early  in  18S4,    a   beginning    was   made   to   build    the  new 

church.     A  plan  was  adopted,   subscriptions  solicited,   and  the 

contract   let,    and    in    mid-summer   the   corner  stone   was  laid, 

and    the    work    progressed     so     rapidly    that     by    the  middle 

of   September    the    church    was    completed,  and    on    the  30th 

'of  the  same  month  it  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  with 

appropriate  services.     Revs.  Edmiuid  Belfour  and  D.    M.   Kem- 

erer  assisted  the  pastor  on  this  occasion.     On  the  nth  of  April, 

1885,  a  new  constitution  was  adopted,  and  ofiicers  were   elected 


EMANUEIv'S   CHURCH,    EXPORT.  I99 

under  it.  In  June,  1886,  Rev.  Myers  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from 
Rochester,  Pa.  He  has  reported  several  baptisms,  three  confir- 
mations and  four  additions  by  letters  of  transfer  and  a  loss  of 
two. 

On  the  I  St  of  October,  1886,  Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway,  be- 
came pastor  and  performed  his  work  in  the  same  order  as  his 
predecessor  had  done,  holding  services  on  every  alternate  Sun- 
day afternoon.  In  the  autumn  of  1891  he  resigned  and  accepted 
a  call  from  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish.  He  bapttzed  2  children, 
confirmed  9  adults,   and  conducted  six  funerals. 

In  December,  1891,  Rev.  Philip  Doerr  became  pastor  of  this 
church.  He  began  at  once  to  hold  services  on  every  Sunday 
afternoon,  and  continued  to  do  so  during  the  entire  time  of  his 
pastorate.  The  church  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $179.  He  has 
made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts :  Baptized 
16  children,  confirmed  13  adults,  added  13  by  letter  of  transfer, 
conducted  8  funerals,  and  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate  he 
had  a  communicant  membership  of  48.  He  resigned  on  the  ist 
of  March,  1897,  to  accept  a  call   from   che  Brush   Creek  parish. 

Early  in  the  summer  of  1897,  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum  be- 
came his  successor,  and  has  pursued  his  work  in  the  same  order. 
He  has  conducted  services  on  every  Lord's  Day  and  held  com- 
munion four  times  a  year,  and  has  faithfully  performed  all  neces- 
sary ministerial  acts.  There  have  been  expended  on  repairs  $150 
since  the  beginning  of  his  pastorate.  He  has  baptized  13  chil- 
dren, added  19  persons  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  and  8  by 
letters  of  transfer  ;  he  has  had  a  loss  of  26  by  removal,  and  has 
now  a  membership  of  48.  Emanuel's  congregation  has  a  good 
Sunday  school,    which  is  well  attended  and  never  closed. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  Church  council  :  Robert 
Duff,  elder  ;  Frank  Lauffer,  W.  G.  Cline  and  Uriah  Lessig, 
deacons  ;  J.  I<.  Laughrey  and  Joseph  Duff,  trustees. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  : — Rev.  John  M.  Steck, 
1 820- 1 830;  Rev.  M.  J.  Steck,  1830- 1843;  Rev.  Jacob  Zimmer- 
man, 1842 -1847;  Rev.  D.  Mayer,  1847-1849;  vacancy;  Rev.  Jonas 
Mechling,  1851-1868;   Rev.  J.   S.   Fink,   1868-1874;  Rev.  J.   A. 


200  conference;  history. 

Sheffer,  1875- 1877;  Rev.  J.  A.  Bauman,  1876- 1877;  Rev.  Enoch 
Smith,  6  months;  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  1877-1878;  Rev.  V.  B. 
Christy,  1878-1879;  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  Ph.  D.,  1879-1883;  Rev. 
J.  W.  Myers,  1883-1886;  Rev.  C.  h.  Holloway,  1886-1891;  Rev. 
P.  Doerr,  1891-1897;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  1897  to  the  present. 


XVII.     ZION'S   BVANGEUCAL   I.UTHERAN  CHURCH, 
GREENSBURG,  PENN'A. 

In  the  autumn  of  1847,  ^t  the  request  of  Rev.  Michael  J. 
Steck,  pastor  of  the  Greensburg  parish,  Rev.  John  Rugan,  of 
Philadelphia,  was  called  as  his  assistant,  with  special  reference 
to  the  increasing  needs  of  English  services.  He  accepted  the 
call  and  began  to  hold  English  services  in  the  German  church. 
These  services  were  quite  acceptable  to  the  English  speaking 
people,  but  they  had  not  continued  long  till  objections  were 
raised   to   the  use  of  the  German  church  for  English  services. 

On  the  2ist  of  November,  1847,  a  call  was  issued  for  a 
meeting  of  all  those  who  desired  the  organization  of  an  English 
Lutheran  congregation  in  Greensburg.  Accordingly  on  the  5th 
of  December,  the  meeting  was  held  in  the  German  church,  at 
which  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

1.  Resolved,  That  it  is  proper  and  expedient  to  organize 
an  English  Lutheran  congregation  in  Greensburg. 

2.  Resolved.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  ascertain 
who,  and  how  many,  will  be  willing  to  enter  this  organization. 

3.  Resolved.  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  draft  reso- 
lutions, and  nominate  officers  under  this  constitution. 

Daniel  Welty,  Martin  B.  Hartzel,  John  Kuhns,  Sr.,  John  L. 
Bierer,  Daniel  Kistler,  Henry  Kettering  and  Lewis  Trauger  were 
appointed  as  the  committee  under  the  second  resolution. 

Rev.  John  Rugan,  A.  Rumbaugh,  Daniel  Welty  and  Henry 
K.  Welty,  were  appointed  a  committee  under  the  third  reso- 
lution, charged  especially  with  framing  a  constitution. 


ZION'S   (lirKCH    l'ARSON\(iF,    CK  KKXSBl'Rr, 


ZION'S  MEMORIAL  CHURCH,  JUMONVILLE. 


~T.  .lAMES'  (HntCll,  ALTOONA 


ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH   CHAXCEL,  ALTOOXA,  TA. 


.'-T.  JunXS   CHURCH,  lUMiUJCT 


"ZION'S   church,    GREENSBURG.  20I 

The  meeting  adjourned  to  convene  again  on  the  i6th  of 
January,  1848,  to  hear  the  report  of  the  committees  appointed, 
and  to  further  perfect  the  proposed  organization. 

As  the  use  of  the  German  church  had  been  denied  for  the 
holding  of  the  meeting  on  January  16,  the  use  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church  was  kindly  granted,  where  the  friends  of  the 
movement  assembled  as  per  adjournment. 

At  this  meeting  Rev.  John  Rugan  acted  as  president,  and 
Lewis  Trauger,  secretary. 

The  first  committee  reported  that  forty  persons  had  signified 
their  willingness  to  become  members  of  the  proposed  English 
congregation. 

The  second  committee  reported  and  presented  a  constitution, 
which,  after  it  had  been  explained  by  Rev.  Rugan,  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  and  had  been  duly  considered,  was  unan- 
imously adopted.  Under  its  provisions  a  congregation  of  forty 
members  was  organized  by  the  name,  style  and  title  of  '*  Zion's 
Evangelical  lyUtheran  Church  of  Greensburg,  Pa." 

The  following  named  persons  were  elected  as  the  first  officers 
under  the  constitution  :  Martin  B,  Hartzel  and  Daniel  Welty, 
Sr.,  elders;  John  L.  Bierer,  lycwis  Trauger,  John  Bortz  and 
Henry  K.  Welty,  deacons  ;  Peter  Rummel  and  Samuel  Hoffman, 
trustees. 

The  congregation  being  now  organized,  but  having  no  place 
of  worship,  application  was  made  to  the  county  commissioners 
for  the  Court  Room,  which  was  kindly  granted.  Services  were 
held  here  on  every  alternate  Sunday  till  the  fall  of  1848,  when 
the  old  Presbyterian  church  was  leased  where  services  were  held 
untill  a  church  was  built. 

Rev.  John  Rugan  served  this  congregation  very  acceptably 
till  October,  1849,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  St. 
James'  church  Bell  township,  and  other  points.  The  same 
month  Trinity,  Adamsburg,  which  Rev.  Rugan  had  organized 
and  served  for  one  year,  was  joined  with  Zion's  church,  and  the 
two  were  constituted  the  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  parish,  and 
Rev.  Michael  Eyster  of  Greencastle,  Pa,,  was  called  to  become 
the  spiritual  shepherd  of  this  little  flock. 


202  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

When  Rev.  Michael  Kyster  became  pastor  of  this  congrega- 
tion it  had  less  than  fifty  members,  and  received  no  moral  nor 
financial  support  from  the  congregation  from  which  it  has  gone 
out.  The  need  of  a  church  was  keenly  felt,  and  the  matter  of 
church  building  was  often  warmly  discussed  ;  but  no  effective 
measures  were  taken  till  January,  1851,  when  a  congregational 
meeting  was  called  for  this  purpose. 

The  committee  previously  appointed  by  the  church  council 
to  secure  a  lot,  reported  that  Mr.  John  Kuhns,  Sr.,  had  offered 
to  donate  a  lot,  situate  on  the  corner  of  Second  and  Junction 
tion  streets,  (now  Pennsylvania  avenue)  suitable  as  a  site,  which 
offer  was  thankfully  accepted.  A  plan  was  at  once  formulated 
and  adopted,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions 
and  money  for  its  erection. 

John  Kuhns,  Frederick  J.  Cope,  William  Row  and  John 
Bortz  were  appointed  this  committee.  As  the  committee  soon 
was  making  encouraging  progress  the  work  of  building  was 
commenced  at  once. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1851,  the  contract  was  let  to  Philip 
Walthour  of  Greensburg,  for  $2,800.  The  work  progressed 
very  ^satisfactorily  and  the  edifice  was  completed  by  the  ist  of 
November,  of  the  same  year,  and  on  the  21st  of  the  same 
month  it  was  consecrated  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God. 
Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant  and  W.  S.  Emery  assisted  the  pastor, 
Rev.  Michael  Eyster,  at  these  joyous  services.  The  church  was 
a  plain  brick  building,  45x65  feet  in  size,  with  end  gallery  and  a 
basement  for  Sunday  school  and  lecture  room.  The  auditorium 
was  plainly  but  neatly  finished  and  comfortably  furnished.  The 
carpet,  pulpit,  altar  and  other  furniture  and  fixtures,  such  as 
heating  and  lighting  apparatus,  were  not  included  in  the  con- 
tract price. 

Under  the  faithful  and  successful  ministry  of  Rev.  Eyster 
the  congregation  enjoyed  an  increasing  measure  of  prosperity,  for 
in  the  spring  of  1853,  ^^  reported  a  communicant  membership 
of  105,  but  in  August,  of  the  same  year  the  ministry  of  this  de- 
voted man  was  suddenly  ended  by  death.     His  death  fell  like  a 


zion's  church,  grkknsburg.  20;^ 

great  calamity  on  this  congregation  and  was  generally  lamented 
as  a  serious  loss  to  our  church. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1854,  Rev.  Milton  Valentine,  then  of, 
Pittsburg,  now  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  Pa., 
was  called  as  pastor  of  this  parish  and  was  installed  in  his  work; 
on  the  I  St  of  April.  He  served  faithfully  and  satisfactorily,  but, 
owi  ig  to  serious  throat  trouble,  he  resigned  on  April,  ist  1855, 
Rev.  Dr.  Valintine  is  a  man  possessed  of  eminent  abilities,  as  his 
life  work  shows  ;  but  during  this  short  pastorate  he  was  scarcely 
able  to  repair  the  loss  sustained  by  the  long  vacancy  which  fol- 
lowed the  death  of  the  lamented  E3''ster. 

After  the  resigation  of  Rev.  Dr.  Valentine,  Rev.  A.  H. 
Waters  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  served  this 
congregation,  as  a  supply,  for  three  months,  when  he  was 
called  to  become  pastor  of  the  Butler  and  Prospect  parish  in 
Butler  county.  Pa. 

On  the  ist  of  July,  1855,  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  also  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  was  called  to  become  pastor 
of  the  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  parish,  and  entered  on  his 
duties  on  the  gtli  of  August,  He  served  these  two  congrega- 
tions. Trinity,  Adamsburg  and  Zion's,  Greensburg,  preaching, 
the  word  regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  and  administering 
the  holy  sacrament  of  the  altar  twice  a  year. 

During  a  pastorate  of  eight  years  there  were  many  changes; 
some  came  and  some  went,  some  were  dismissed  and  some  were 
laid  away  in  God's  acre;  121  children  were  baptized  and  en- 
grafted into  the  body  of  Christ,  119  were  received  into  full  mem- 
bership by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  48  by  letters  of  trans- 
fer, making  167  additions  to  the  membership;  a  loss  of  7  by  death 
and  15  by  removal.  This  doubled  the  effective  membership  that 
was   here  eight  years  before,  when  he  began  his  pastorate. 

In  July,  1863,  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  resigned  the  Greensburg 
and  Adamsburg  parish,  his  resignation  taking  effect  on  the  ist 
of  August.  He  began  mission  work  to  which  he  had  been 
called  by  the  Synod  on  the  ist  of  September  of  the  same  year. 
Immediately  after  his  resignation  Rev.  Daniel  Garver,  of  Canton, 
Ohio,  was  called  to  become  pastor  of  this  parish.     He  accepted 


204  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

the  call  and  took  full  charge  on  the  ist  of  the  following  October. 
He  served  regularly  as  his  predecessors  had  done,  and  His 
services  were  quite  acceptable  and  his  ministry  among  these 
people  was  eminently  successful,  but  on  the  30th  of  September, 
1865,  his  work  on  earth  was  ended.  On  the  very  threshold  of 
his  ministry  and  life  of  usefulness  in  the  church  the  Master  called 
hira  to  his  reward.  How  mysterious  are  the  waj'S  of  God  ? 
During  his  short  pastorate  he  baptized  25  children  and  added  22 
persons  to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of  confirma- 
tion and  others  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  a  loss  of  10  by 
death  and  removal.  After  the  death  of  our  lamented  Brother 
Garver,  this  congregation,  as  well  as  the  parish,  suffered  another 
long  \^acancy,  which  was  only  partly  supplied. 

On  the  I  St  of  January,  1866,  Rev.  J.  K.  Plitt  of  New  Jersey, 
was  called  and  was  installed  pastor  of  this  parish  in  February  by 
Revs.  Reuben  Hill  and  J.  G.  Goettman.  He  ministered  regu- 
larly to  this  congregation  on  every  alternate  Sunda}'  for  seven 
years  and  a  half,  and  fulfilled  the  duties  of  a  Christian  pastor 
with  earnestness  and  fidelity.  The  record  of  his  ministerial 
acts  shows  how  faithfully  he  performed  his  work.  At  the  close 
of  his  pastorate,  in  July,  1873,  he  reported  139  children  blessed 
in  holy  baptism,  added  119  young  persons  b}-  the  rite  of  confir- 
mation, and  had  an  effective  membership  of  240.  A  long  vacancy 
followed  his  withdrawal. 

On  the  I  St  of  May,  1874,  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  was 
called  as  his  successor,  who  began  his  work  on  the  ist  of 
June  following,  and  was  installed  on  the  loth  of  August  by 
Rev.  Samuel  Laird  of  Pittsburg.  He  ministered  to  this  congrega- 
tion regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday  till  the  spring  of  1876, 
when  Zion's  church  separated  from  Trinity  church,  Adamsburg, 
and  became  an  independent  parish.  He  resigned  Trinity  and  con- 
tinued to  serve  Zion's.  He  now  conducted  services  every 
Sunday,  morning  and  evening,  till  October,  ist,  1876,  when  he 
resigned.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate  he  reported  50  infant 
baptisms  40  additions  by  the  solemn  rite  of  confirmation  and 
letters  of  transfer  and  an  effective  membership  of  270.  After  the 
resignation  of  Rev.   Bartholomew  who  Avas  called  to  the  church 


zion's  church,  greknsburg.  205 

of  the  Twelve  Apostles,  Saegertown,  this  parish  was  vacant  till 
July,  1877. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1877,  a  severe  dispensation  befell  this 
congregation  in  the  destruction  of  their  church  by  fire,  which 
was  communicated  to  it  from  an  adjoining  building.  This  was 
a  heavy  loss  at  the  the  time,  for  there  was  not  a  dollar  of  insur- 
ance on  it ;  but  it  proved  a  blessing  in  disguise,  for  out  of  the 
ashes  of  the  old  church  arose  the  beautiful  house  of  worship, 
which  is  now  the  property  of  Zion's  congregation. 

The  matter  of  rebuilding  was  at  once  discussed  and,  on  the 
nth  of  March,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  at  which  it 
was  unanimously  resolved  to  rebuild  at  once,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  this  purpose.  On 
the  loth  of  May,  at  another  meeting,  the  following  named  per- 
sons wwre  appointed  as  a  building  committee  :  Lewis  Trauger, 
George  F.  Huff,  Jos,  Bowman,  Z.  P.  Bierer,  John  Koser,  C.  H. 
Stark  and  Lewis  Walthour. 

Lewis  Trauger  was  elected  chairman,  'and  J.   S.   Walthour 
secretary.     On  the  6th  of  June  the  committee  employed  Messrs. 
Drum  and  Steen,   architects,  of  Pittsburg,  to  prepare  plans  and 
specifications,  which  were  laid  before  them  on  the   19th  day   of 
the  same  month  and  were  unanimously  adopted. 

Early  in  June  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  was  unanimously  called  and 
became  pastor  on  the  ist  of  July.  On  the  31st  of  July  the  com- 
mittee purchased  materials  for  the  erection,  of  the  church  and 
on  the  6th  of  August  work  was  begun.  On  the  9th  of  August, 
1877,  the  contract  with  Kemp  and  Hammer  for  the  stone  and 
brick  work  was  closed.  On  the  15th  of  August  the  work  on  the 
foundation  was  commenced  which  progressed  so  rapidly  that  by 
the  24th  of  September  the  stone  and  brick  work  on  the  basement 
was  completed,  and  the  comer  stone  was  laid  with  appropriate 
services,  Revs.  S.  Laird,  D.  D.  V.  B.  Christy  and  J.  S.  Fink 
assisting  the  pastor  on  this  memorable  occasion. 

The  work  of  building  was  pushed  forward  so  rapidly  that 
by  the  middle  of  December  the  church  was  fully  enclosed. 
The  work  of  finishing  was  resumed  as  early  the  following  sum- 
mer as  arrangements  could  be  made  and  on  the  ist  of  November, 


2o6  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

1878,  the  basement  was  finished.  It  was  opened  for  regular 
Sunday  services,  which  were  held  here  till  the  auditorium  was 
finished  and  dedicated. 

On  Saturday,  the  2d  of  August,  i  879,  the  church  was  set 
apart  to  the  worship  of  God  ;  the  pastor  was  assisted  at  these 
joyful  and  impressive  services  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Seiss,  D.  D.,  of 
Philadelphia  and  Rev.  Samuel  L,aird,  then  of  Pittsburg.  There 
were  also  present  Revs.  Christy,  Doerr,  Fink,  McMurry,  Enoch 
Smith,  J.  D.  Roth,  Hantz  and  Zimmerman,  of  Westmore- 
land county,  and  Professor  D.  McKee  of  Thiel  College.  Doctor 
Seiss  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon,  Rev.  Laird  made  an  ad- 
dress to  the  congregation,  and  the  pastor,  W.  F.  Ulery,  per- 
formed the  act  of  consecration,  assisted  b}^  Rev.  Dr.  Laird.  The 
first  communion  was  celebrated  on  Sunday  August   3,    1879. 

The  church  is  a  neat  brick  building,  in  size  45x80  feet, 
Gothic  in  its  architecture,  with  two  corner  towers,  one  of 
which  terminates  in  a  spire  115  feet  high,  with  an  entrance  in 
each  tower.  A  fine  Troy  bell,  the  gift  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis 
Trauger,  hangs  in  the  tower;  the  lower  story  is  12  feet  high,  and 
is  divided  into  four  apartments  for  Sunday  School  purposes  and 
lecture  room.  The  auditorium,  embracing  the  entire  church,  is  a 
beautiful  room — whether  we  consider  its  architecture,  its  acous- 
tics, its  finish  or  furnishings,  it  is  all  that  could  be  desired,  and 
reflects  credit  on  those  who  made  the  plan,  as  well  as  on  those 
who  adopted  it  and  carried  it  out  so  well.  Its  entire  cost,  not 
counting  some  materials  of  the  old  church  and  some  donated 
labor,  was  $13,000. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  ministered  to  several  congregations,  in 
connection  with  Zion's,  during  the  first  years  of  his  pastorate. 
Manor  and  Hill's  for  one  year,  and  at  Harrold's  for  three 
years.  During  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate,  when  he  served 
Manor  and  Hill's,  he  conducted  services  in  this  congregation  on 
every  alternate  Sunday,  but  after  the  ist  November,  1878,  when 
the  lecture  room  was  opened  in  the  new  church,  services  were 
held  on  every  Sunday  morning  and  evening.  The  church  was 
built  and  paid  for,  but  no  small  part  of  the  burden  of  soliciting 
money  while  it  it  was  being  built,  fell  to    the  lot  of  the  pastor. 


ZION   CHURCH,    OREENSBURG.  207 

Wlien  he  resigned,  in  July,  1884,  the  congregation  had  no  debts 
except  what  was  due  on  the  pastor's  salary.  At  the  close  of  his 
pastorate  of  seven  years  he  made  the  following  report  of  his  min- 
isterial acts  :  159  children  were  baptized,  140  adults  were  added 
by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  65  by  letters  of  transfer.  He 
performod  33  marriages,  conducted  40  funerals  and  left  a  com- 
municant membership  of  325. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1885,  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund  of  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  was  called,  and  on  the  ist  of  February  following  began  his 
pastoral  work.  He  was  installed  on  the  12th  ot  April  by  Rev.  J. 
C.  Kunzmann.  He  was  its  popular  and  success^fulpastor  for  six 
years.  The  congregation  was  largely  increased  in  numbers 
under  his  ministry.  He  baptized  183  children  ;  added  287  by 
the  rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer.  Allowing  for  a 
loss  of  80  by  death  and  removal,  the  communicant  memebrship 
was  503.  During  his  pastorate  a  fine  pipe  organ  was  placed  in 
the  auditorium,  through  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Lewis  Traugerand 
Hon.  George  F.  Huff;  the  church  was  frescoed,  carpeted  and 
painted.  In  1887,  during  the  absence  of  the  pastor  in  Europe, 
Rev.  Howe  Delo,  of  blessed  memory,  occupied  the  pulpit  as  a 
supply.  Rev.  Eund  resigned  on  the  ist  of  February,  1891,  to  ac- 
cept a  call  from  a  Western  mission.  He  now  holds  a  professor- 
ship in  the  Norwegian  Theological  Seminary,  Mineapolis,  Minn. 

In  November,  1891,  Rev.  George  E.  Titzel  became  pastor 
and  began  his  work  under  most  promising  and  favorable  circum- 
stances, but  he  had  been  here  just  long  enough  to  gain  the  con- 
fidence and  win  the  affections  of  the  people,  when  it  pleased  the 
Master  to  call  him  away.  He  died  on  the  loth  of  September, 
1892,  ten  months  after  he  had  become  pastor,  in  the  beginning 
of  a  hfe  of  great  usefulness.  How  wonderful  are  God's  ways! 
During  his  short  pastorate  he  baptized  10  children;  added  a  num- 
ber by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  leaving  the  membership  about 
the  same  as  when  his  predessor  resigned. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Titzel  made  a  deep  immpression  on  the 
congregation.  A  memorial  service  was  held  in  the  church,  in 
his  honor  conducted  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D.,  and  at 
his  suggestion  Mr.   Lewis  Trauger  and   Hon.   George  F.   Huff, 


208  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

assisted  by  a  few  other  members,  agreed  to  place,  as  a  tribute  to  his 
memory,  set  of  books,  in  the  hbrary  of  the  lyUtheran  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  at  Chicago,    to  the  value  of  $600. 

During  the  vacancy  that  followed  the  death  of  the  greatly 
lamented  Titzel,  the  church  was  thoroughly  repaired.  New 
heaters  were  placed  in  the  basement ;  the  Sunday  school  and 
lecture  rooms  were  carpeted  and  painted ;  the  auditorium  re- 
frescoed  and  re-carpeted  ;  all  the  wood  work  painted  and  every 
thing  put  into  perfect  order.  The  entire  cost  of  this  improve- 
ment was  $1,250. 

In  November,  1892,  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,D.  D.,of  Wil- 
mington, North  Carolina,  was  called.  After  due  consideration 
he  accepted  the  call,  and  entered  on  his  duties  on  the  ist  of 
March,  1893.  He  pursued  his  work  quite  diligently,  preaching 
the  word  and  teaching  a  catechetical  class,  and  on  the  following 
Easter  he  confirmed  a  class  numbering  21  persons,  and  received 
a  number  more  by  letters  of  transfer.  At  the  meeting  of  the 
synod  in  August  he  reported  52  additions  to  the  membership. 
Large  accessions  were  made  every  year  by  confirmations  and 
letters  of  transfer,  but  ths  losses  by  death  and  removal  were  also 
quite  large.  The  mortality  has  been  especially  great  amongst 
the  older  members  within  the  last  two  or  three  years.  Though 
so  many  have  been  added  yet  on  account  of  these  severe  losses 
there  has  been  no  effective  increase  in  the  last  several  years. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Peschau  the  Dorcas  society 
placed  a  baptismal  font  within  the  chancel  as  a  memorial  of  Rev. 
George  E.  Titzel.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate  the  following 
report  was  made  of  his  ministerial  acts.  He  baptized  308  chil- 
dren, added  305  persons  by  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer; 
conducted  54  funerals  of  members  and  dismissed  over  100, 
leaving  the  communicant  membership  about  the  same  as  when 
he  accepted  this  parish. 

In  October  1 900  Rev.  Dr.  Peschau  received  a  call  from  St. 
Jacob's  church,  Miamisburg,  Ohio,  which,  after  due  deliberation, 
he  accepted.  He  resigned  with  the  proviso  that  his  resigna- 
tion take  effect  on  the  ist  day  of  March,  1900,  when  he  would 
enter  on  the  duties  of  his  new  parish.     This  congregation  was 


zion's  church.  GREENSBURG.  2b9 

vacant  for  a  period  of  i6  months,  during  which  time  it  was  sup- 
plied under  the  oversight  of  the  president  of  the  Southern  Con- 
ference and  a  committee  of  the  Church  council. 

In  October,  190 1,  Rev.  William  J.  Miller,  of  Rochester, 
N.  Y  ,  was  called  and  signified  a  willingness  to  accept  as  soon  as 
it  was  practicable  for  him  to  do  so.  As  his  congregation  was  en- 
gaged in  building  a  church  he  did  not  think  it  wise  to  press 
the  matter  of  a  change  of  pastors,  and,  besides,  there  wa.-.  such 
strong  opposition  to  this  change  that  he  felt  greatly  embar- 
rassed as  to  what  he  ought  to  do;  but  early  in  the  spring  of  1901, 
he  finally  decided  to  accept  the  call.  He  conducted  services  in 
June,  and  on  July  i,  1901,  he  became  permanent  pastor,  and  was 
installed  on  the  13th  day  of  October  following,  by  Rev.  I,.  M. 
Zweizig  of  lycechburg.  Pa.  He  has  made  a  good  beginning, 
and  at  this  writing  (Nov.,  1901)  everything  promises  a  pros- 
perous future.  The  church  now  has  a  membership  of  530.  At 
the  last  communion  eight  persons  were  received  by  letters  of 
transfer.     The   services  were  very  interesting  and  well  attended. 

During  the  summer  of  1901  the  church  had  a  thorough  reno- 
vation. The  auditorium  and  Sunday  school  room  were  refres- 
coed  and  painted,  and  everything  put  in  good  order,  at  a  cost  of 
$300.  The  Sunday  school  is  as  old  as  the  congregation,  and  has 
always  been  an  important  and  useful  factor.  It  contributed  lib- 
erally to  the  building  of  the  church,  and  from  time  to  time,  to 
various  objects  of  benevolence,  as  well  as  furnished  its  literature 
and  supplies.  It  numbers  240  scholars  and  19  teachers  and  a 
full  staff  of  officers.  It  is  organized  on  the  improved  plan  of 
Graded  Lessons  and  uses  the  literature  of  the  General  Council 
Publication  Board. 

The  present  officers  are  : — ^J.  R.  Silvis,  superintendent;  F. 
Miller,  assistant ;  Clark  Walthour,  secretary  and  librarian  ;  Wm. 
T.  Welty,  treasurer,  and  Chas.  Klingensmith,  organist. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  on  the  5th  December, 
1883,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  by  the  adop- 
tion of  a  constitution  and  the  election  of  the  following  ofiicers  : 
Mrs.  W.  F.  Ulery,  president  ;  Mrs.  Fridoline  Miller,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  Miss  E^  S.  Beer,  secretary,  and  Mrs.  John  Walker,  treas- 


210  CONFERENCE   HISTORY. 

urer.  It  has  been  a  useful  society,  and  has  done  good  work  out- 
side of  the  congregation.  In  September,  1888,  during  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  E.  G.  lyUnd,  it  was  reorganized  as  a  Ladies'  Aid 
and  Missionary  society. 

The  first  ofiicers,  under  the  revised  constitution,  were  :  Mrs. 
Lewis  Trauger,  president ;  Miss  Hettie  Baughman,  secretary, 
and  Miss  Sadie  Bierer,  treasurer. 

It  was  a  working  society  during  the  early  years  of  its  his- 
tory. Valuable  boxes  of  clothing  were  made  for  the  orphans, 
and  the  Johnstown  flood  sufferers.  Contribution  have  been 
made  to  aid  the  congregation,  and  the  cause  of  missions.  Since 
1888,  an  annual  donation  of  $25.00  has  been  made  to  the  Orphans' 
Home,  Zielienople,  Pa.  This  society  has  a  membership  of  40. 
The  present  officers  are  :  Mrs.  A.  M.  Clawson,  president;  Mrs. 
Z.  T.  Pool,  vice  president ;  Miss  Lizzie  Wallace,  secretary,  and 
Mrs.  Eliza  Trauger,  treasurer. 

The  Luther  League  has  been  reorganized  and  is  holding 
meetings  every  Sunday  evening,  which  are  well  attended.  One 
most  commendable  feature  of  the  League  is  that  the  topics  pro- 
posed for  discussion  will  lead  to  the  reading  and  study  of  the 
Bible,  and  to  a  better  acquaintance  with  the  doctrines  of  the 
church  and  the  duties  of  Christians. 

The  following  named  person  compose  the  present  council : 
Rev.  W.  J.  Miller,  pastor  ;  Fridoline  Miller,  secretary  and  Mi- 
chael Shoup,  treasurer  ;  R.  M.  McCreary  and  Fridoline  Miller, 
elders ;  Prof.  J.  C.  Hoch,  Hon.  Geo.  F.  Huff,  Michael  Shoup, 
John  Klingensmith,  O.  J.  Clawson,  W,  T.  Welty  and  John  M. 
Hawk,  deacons  ;  O.  J.  Clawson,  John  M.  Klingensmith,  and  R. 
M.   McCreary,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors  since  ics  organization  :  Rev.  John  Rugan,  Jan. 
16,  1848  to  Oct.  I,  1849;  Rev.  Michael  Eyster,  Oct.  i,  1849,  to 
Aug.  13,  1853  ;  Rev.  Milton  Valentine,  April  i,  1854  to  April  i, 
1855;  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  supply  in  1855.  for  four  months  ; 
Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  Aug.  1855,  to  Aug.  1863;  Rev.  Daniel  Gar- 
ver,  Oct.  1863,  to  Sept.  1865;  Rev.  J.  K.  Plitt,  Jan.  i866,  to 
July,  1873;  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew,  May,  1874,  to  Oct.,  1896: 
Rev.  W.   F.  Ulery,  July,  1877,  to  July,  1884  ;  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund, 


ZION'S  church,    GREEKSBURG.  211 

Jan.  1885,  to  Feb.,  1891  ;  Rev.  George  E.  Titzel,  Nov.,  1891, 
to  Sept.,  1892;  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  March,  1893, 
to  March  1900 ;  long  vacancy  supplied  by  a  committee,  and 
Rev.  Wm.  J.    Miller.   July,  1901,  is  the   present  pastor. 


XVIII.     CHRIST  CHURCH,  WEST  NEWTON,  WEST- 
MORELAND   COUNTY,  PENNA. 

During  the  year  1829,  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  of  the  Joint 
Synod  of  Ohio,  conducted  services  at  West  Newton  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  German  Lutheran  people  of  that  town  and  community. 
On  the  I st  of  January,  1830,  he  organized  a  congregation  with 
28  members,  and  a  communion  service  was  held  soon  afterward 
when  the  same  number  were  present.  Services  were  conducted 
for  a  number  of  years  in  the  public  school  building.  In  1836, 
Christ  church  and  members  of  the  Sewickly  Presbyterian  con- 
gregatian  united  in  building  a  union  church,  in  which  the 
Lutherans  owned  a  one-fourth  interest.  This  church  was  owned 
and  used  jointly  by  the  Lutherans  and  Presbyterians  for  17 
years.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  services  were  nearly  all  in 
the  German  language,  as  well  as  to  the  fact  that  they  were  not 
held  frequently,  its  growth  was  very  slow. 

The  vast  extent  of  Rev.  Mechling' s  field  made  it  possible  to 
hold  only  one  service  a  month,  and  even  that  laid  such  a  burden 
upon  him  that  he  resigned  the  charge  on  the  20th  of  November, 
1847.  During  the  seventeen  years  of  his  pastorate,  he  baptized 
129  children,  added  a  number  of  adults  to  the  membership  by 
the  rite  of  confirmation  and  the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellow- 
ship, and  recorded  a  membership  of  50. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  1847,  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery  accepted 
a  call  from  Christ  church,  and  was  installed  its  pastor.  In  the 
fall  of  1848,  after  the  death  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  Seanor's 
and  Hoffman's  became  vacant  and  were  constituted  a  parish  in 
connection  with    Christ   church,  West  Newton.     Of  this  new 


212  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

parish  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery  became  pastor.  He  conducted  ser- 
vices in  this  congregation  at  first  every  four  weeks,  later,  on 
every  alternate  Sunday. 

In  1 85 1  the  Lutherans  sold  their  interest  in  the  Union 
church  to  the  Presbyterians,  and  resolved  to  build  for  themselves 
a  church  to  meet  the  increasing  needs  of  the  congregation.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  and  take  charge 
of  its  erection.  A  plan  was  adopted,  and  on  the  25th  of  March 
the  contract  was  let  to  Mr.  A.  G.  Oliver  for  the  sum  of  $1,125. 
Work  was  begun,  and  on  the  8th  of  July  the  corner  stone  was 
laid  with  appropriate  services,  Revs.  Jonas  Mechling  and  W.  A. 
Passavant  assisted  at  these  services. 

The  work  of  building  was  pushed  vigorously,  and  pro- 
gressed so  successfully  that  by  the  I  St  of  November.  1851,  the 
church  was  completed,  and  on  the  3Dth  of  the  same  month,  dedi- 
cated to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  Rev.  Frederick  Zim- 
merman of  Wheeling,  and  Rev.  Michael  Eyster  of  Greensburg. 
assisted  the  pastor  on  this  interesting  occasion ;  the  former 
preached  in  German,  the  latter,  in  English,  and  the  pastor  per- 
formed the  act  of  consecration. 

The  church  was  a  plain,  but  neat  brick  building,  Gothic  in 
style  of  its  architecture,  34x46  feet  in  size,  and  cost,  when  fin- 
ished and  furnished,  over  $1,200.  The  congregation  now  num- 
bered only  50  effective  members,  but  after  the  new  church  was 
finished,  the  membership  increased,  for  in  1853,  the  pastor  re- 
ported 75  communicant  members.  The  Pittsburg  Synod  met 
here  in  June,  1857,  when  several  young  ministers  were  or- 
dained, two  -of  whom.  Revs.  A.  H.  Waters  and  W.  F.  Ulery, 
are  still   members  of  the  synod. 

On  the  I  St  of  April,  1858,  Rev.  Emery  resigned  the  West 
Newton  parish  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  of  Indiana,  Pa.  The  minutes  of  Synod  give  the  follow- 
ing data  of  his  ministerial  acts:  137  infant  baptisms,  81  confir- 
mations, 33  additions  by  the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellowship, 
a  loss  of  70  by  death  and  removal,  and  a  membership  of  75. 
After  his  resignation  a  vacancy  of  one  year  occurred  during  which 
the  charge  was  supplied  by  synod. 


CHRIST   CHURCH,    WEST    NEWTON.  213 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1859,  Rev.  S.  B.  Lawson  of  Fryburg, 
Pa.,  became  pastor,  and  served  the  congregation  for  nearly  six 
y^ears.  He  was  an  earnest  preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor,  min- 
istering to  the  people  on  every  alternate  Sunday  as  his  predeces- 
sor had  done,  and  did  a  successful  work.  On  the  7th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1865,  his  work  was  suddenly  ended  by  death.  His 
church  record  shows  that  he  baptized  63  children,  confirmed  11 
adults,  and  received  33  by  the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellowship, 
and  a  loss  of  19  by  death  and  removal  leaving  a  communicant 
membership  of    97. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  Lawson,  there  was  a  vacancy  of 
several  months,  during  which  Rev.  Michael  Schweigert  supplied 
this  congregation.  In  the  summer  of  1865,  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz 
became  pastor  of  the  West  Newton  parish,  and  served  this  con- 
gregation for  one  year.  His  short  pastorate  shows  faithful 
work.  He  recorded  28  baptisms,  32  added  to  the  membership 
by  confirmation  and  by  letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of  15,  and  a  net 
gain  of  17. 

In  October,  1866,  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke  was  called  and  took 
charge  of  the  West  Newton  and  Seanor  parish.  He  was  pastor 
of  this  congrega«^ion  for  ten  years,  and  did  the  work,  as  his  pre- 
decessors had  done,  holding  services  in  each  church  everj'-  two 
weeks,    alternating  in  German  and  English. 

In  I872  the  West  Newton  and  Seanor  parish  was  divided. 
Seanor' s  church  and  Hoffman's  were  constituted  a  parish,  and 
Rev.  Jacob  Singer  became  its  pastor.  West  Newton  was  united 
with  St.  John's,  Connellsville,  which  Rev.  Lemcke  had  recently 
organized.  These  were  constituted  a  new  parish  which  Rev. 
Lemcke  served  on  alternate  Sundays,  in  German  and  English. 
He  labored  here  till  F'ebruary,  1877,  when  he  accepted  a  call 
from  Elizabethtown,  Pa. 

Rev.  Lemcke  made  few  written  records,  but  he  left  a  pleas- 
ant memory  of  his  work  among  the  members.  He  baptized  160 
children  ;  confirmed  54  adults  ;  added  1 7  by  letters  of  trensfer  ; 
had  a  loss  of  64  by  death  and  removal,  showing  a  membership  of 
155  when  he  left. 

On  the  ist  of  May,  1877,  ^^v.  Philip  Doerr   was  called  and 


214  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

was  i>astoi'  for  a  period  of  more  than  four  years.  He  divided  his 
time  between  the  two  churches  of  the  parish,  holding  three  ser- 
vices in  this  congregation  every  two  weeks,  ministering  in  both 
German  and  English.  He  did  faithful  and  earnest  work  during 
the  four  years  of  his  pastorate. 

In  1878,  through  the  earnest  efforts  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  So- 
ciety, the  church  was  papered  at  a  cost  of  $62.00,  and  in  1880  it 
was  carpeted  and  stained  glass  windows  put  in,  costing  about 
$150.00. 

On  the  ist  of  September,  18S1,  Rev.  Doerr  resigned  to 
accept  a  call  from  Warren,  Pa.  His  record  shows  that  he  bap- 
tized 65  children,  added  44  adults  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and 
letters  of  transfer,  and  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate  had  a  com- 
municant membership  of  160.  After  his  resignation  th€  parish 
wns  divided  and  Connellsville  became  independent  and  this  con- 
gregation was  vacant  for  one  year,  during  which  time  it  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  G.  A.  Wenzel,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg.  During  this 
vacancy  the  congregation  built  a  parsonage  on  a  lot  along  side  of 
the  church.  It  is  a  plain,  substantial  six-roomed  house,  costing 
about  $1,900,  most  of  which  was  paid  as  soon  as  it  was  finished, 
and  the  balance  under  the  next  pastorate. 

In  the  spring  of  1882,  Christ  church  and  Hoffman's  were 
united  into  a  parish  and  on  the  ist  of  July  Rev.  S.  K.  Herbster 
of  Tuscarawas,  Ohio,  became  pastor.  He  conducted  services 
in  German  and  English  on  every  alternate  Sunday  morning,  and 
every  Sunday  evening  in  West  Newton,  During  his  pastorate 
the  congregation  increased  more  in  membership  than  at  any  pre- 
vious time  in  its  history,  because  it  had  more  frequent  services. 

In  1886,  the  church  was  repaired,  a  new  pulpit  was  built, 
new  lights  were  put  in,  and  other  impiovements  were  made  at  a 
cost  of  $350,  and  in  1890  a  new  roof  was  put  on,  costing  $100 
which  was  paid  by  the  Ladies  Aid  Society. 

On  the  ist  of  Jan.,  1891,  Rev.  Herbster  resigned  to  accept  a 
call  from  the  Irwin  parish.  His  parochial  reports  give  the  fol- 
lowing record  :  He  baptized  113  children,  added  91  to  the  com- 
municant membership,  and  had  a  loss  of  90  by  death  and  re- 
moval, leaving  a  membership  of  175. 


CHRIST   CHURCH,    WEST    WEWTON,  215 

Immediately  after  his  resignation  Rev.  A.  P.  Pfleuger  of 
Turbotsville,  Pa.,  was  called.  He  became  pastor  on  the  ist  of 
August,  with  the  understanding  that  he  should  serve  West 
Newton  alone.  Hoffman's  church  was  united  with  the  Scott- 
dale  parish.  He  rendered  acceptable  service  during  his  short 
pastorate  and  the  people  gave  him  up  with  regret.  Believing 
that  the  climate  of  West  Newton  was  unfavorable  to  the  health 
of  his  fami-y.  he  resigned  on  the  ist  of  Januarj',  1893,  and 
preached  his  last  sermon  on  the  29th  of  the  same  month.  He 
baptized  61  children,  confirmed  13  adults,  conducted  21  funerals 
and  had  a  membership  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate  of  175. 
There  was  a  vacancy  after  his  resignation  of  six  months,  during 
which  time  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  of  Greensburg,  supplied  the  con- 
gregation. 

On  the  ist  of  August,  1893,  Rev.  A.  H.  Kinnard  of  Ring- 
gold, Pa.,  became  pastor  and  served  it  for  four  years.  He  de- 
voted nearly  all  his  time  to  this  congregation  and  rendered  faith- 
ful services.  He  baptized  157  children,  confirmed  48  adults, 
and  added  38  by  letters  of  transfer.  He  conducted  43  funerals, 
had  a  loss  of  21  by  removal,  and  there  was  at  the  close  of  his  pas- 
torate, a  membership  of  195. 

On  the  ist  of  August,  1897,  Rev.  Kinnard  accepted  a  call 
from  the  Lutheran  church  at  London,  Ohio.  After  a  short 
vacancy  Rev.  E.  L.  Reed  of  Catawissa,  Pa.,  accepted  a  call, 
and  took  charge  on  the  28th  of  the  following  November.  He 
began  his  work  with  an  earnest  purpose  and  has  pursued  it 
with  fidelity  and  succe.ss.  Since  the  beginning  of  his  pastorate 
he  has  conducted  English  services  in  the  congregation  every 
Sunday  morning  and  evening,  and  German  services  on  every  al- 
ternate Sunday  afternoon.  A  new  interest  has  been  awakened, 
which  is  evinced  by  the  attendance  at  the  regular  services,  as 
well  as  by  the  increase  in  the  membership,  during  the  four  years 
he  has  served  it.  Soon  after  Rev.  Reed  became  pastor  the  pro- 
priety, as  well  as  the  necessity,  of  building  a  new  church,  was 
discussed,.  Many,  especially  the  younger  members,  were  strongly 
in  favor  of  this  move,  but  not  a  few  of  the  older  ones  had  serious 
doubts  about  the  feasibility  of  the  undertaking. , 


2l6  CONFERENCE  HISTORY. 

On  January  15,  1899,  a  congregational  meeting  was  held  at 
which  the  matter  of  church  building  was  freely  discussed,  and  it 
was  resolved  to  build,  for  it  was  now  felt  to  be  an  urgent  neces- 
sity. A  building  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
Michael  Albig,  William  P.  Warrick,  Frank  M.  Neth,  Adam 
Peters,  and  Rev.  E.  ly.  Reed.  The  pastor  was  elected  president, 
James  Q.  Waters  Jr.,  secretary  and  W.  C  Luppold,  treasurer. 
The  church  council,  consisting  of  Adam  Peters,  William  P.  War- 
rick, John  Hauser,  Frederic  Gras,  Frank  M.  Neth,  James  Q. 
W^aters,  Jr.,  and  Rev.  E.  L.  Reed,  were  authorized  to  solicit 
subscriptions. 

An  architect  was  employed,  who  prepared  plans,  which  were 
adopted.  On  the  2d  of  February  the  contract  for  the  building 
was  let  to  Findley  &  Campbell  of  West  Newton,  for  $7,300. 
The  work  on  the  building  was  begun  in  the  spring  of  1899,  and 
on  the  2d  of  July  the  corner  stone  was  laid  with  appropriate  ser- 
vices. Rev.  A.  L.  Yount,  D.  D.,  made  the  address  and  Rev. 
Luther  D.  Reed,  assisted  the  pastor  on  this  occasion. 

The  work  progressed  successfully  and  the  church  was  com- 
pleted by  the  beginning  of  the  New  Year  ;  but  owing  to  the  de- 
lay in  the  delivery  of  some  of  the  furniture,  the  day  of  dedication 
was  postponed  till  the  18th  of  March,  1900,  when  this  beautiful 
church  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  Rev.  Dr. 
Yount,  the  president  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  preached  the  dedi- 
catory sermon,  on  the  theme  "'The  House  of  God,  a  House  of 
Prayer,"  and  Revs.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  L,.  D.  Reed  and  W.  F. 
Ulery  assisted  the  pastor.  Rev.  Rosenbaum  preached  an  English 
discourse,  Rev.  Ulery  made  a  German  address  and  Rev.  L-  D. 
Reed  made  a  successful  appeal  to  the  congregation,  and  over 
$2,300  were  contributed  during  these  dedication  services  toward 
the  building  fund. 

The  church  is  a  Gothic,  cruciform  structure,  the  interior  ar- 
rangements are  beautiful  and  churchly.  It  is  built  of  pressed 
brick,  with  stone  trimmings,  has  a  massive  tower,  commodious 
chancel,  a  pastor's  .study,  a  space  for  a  pipe  organ,  andone  of  the 
handsomest  auditoriums  that  we  have  seen.  The  dimensions  of 
the    church    are    68x80  feet.     The  auditorium   has   a  seating 


i^.- : 

J 

■'--^■^^J^^ 
ti 

Jl 

^:^- 

.fe'>t-;l 

IT "■ 

r-   ■     , 

pi 

i 

i^t.  9>     _^_ 

'iv      

f 

>  J 

•  '   ■'    Ml 

'ill 

:.M 

■iJ 

.5. 

.7^  ,,„„ja^ 

ifm 

^^ 

^ 

^i 

^r 

CHRIS      CHURCH,  CHAI.K  HII.L 


I! 


,  '■> 


CHTTRCH  or  THE  HOI.Y  TRINITY,  JEANNETTE 


CHRIST  CIirKCII,  \V1';ST  ,\i:\VT()N 


ZION'S  CHURCH,  iMT.  PLEASANT  PARISH 


hwj 


iiiiir 


nliinuni'lih!'!'"!).!    I"  ■' 


ST.  LUKF/S  CHURCH,  MEI.ROSK,  FI,  V. 


ST.  PAUL'S  CHTRCH.   ( I-K  ANKl.IN) 


CHRIST   CHURCH,    WEST   NEWTON.  21 7 

capacity  of  300  and  when  occasion  requires  the  Sunday  School 
room  may  be  made  a  part  of  it,  by  opening  folding  doors  which 
makes  a  seating  capacity  of  500.  The  pews  and  furniture  are 
of  quartered  oak.  The  altar,  lecturn  and  baptismal  font  are 
placed  in  churchly  order.  The  beautiful  windows,  many  of 
which  are  memorial,  were  all  donated. 

Great  credit  is  due  to  the  Building  Committee,  and  especially 
to  pastor  Reed,  for  the  successful  manner  in  which  this  church 
building  has  been  brought  to  its  completion.  It  cost  over 
S  10,000.  of  which  amount  $2,000  remains  3'et  unpaid,  but  it  is 
proposed  to  cancel  this  debt  in  the  near  future.  The  congrega- 
tion is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  success  that  has  crowned  this 
important  elTort,  but  it  was  possible  only  because  it  had  a  wise 
and  tactful  leader,  and  men,  women  and  children  who  worked  to- 
gether for  one  great  end.  The  Ladies*  Aid  society,  the  Luther 
League  and  Mission  Band,  as  well  as  the  Sunday  School,  ren- 
ered  valuable  services.  This  work  was  a  blessing  to  them  as 
well  as  to  the  congregation  for  it  made  them  stronger  an<i  gave 
them  a  deeper  interest  in  the  church  and  a  firmer  attachment  to  it. 
Christ  church  has  had  a  Sunday  School  ever  since  it  had  its 
own  church,  which  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition  and  doing 
good  work.  It  has  165  scholars  and  22  teachers,  with  a  full  staff 
of  officers,  of  which  the  pastor  is  the  leader.  The  school  is  now 
organized  on  the  advanced  plan  of  the  Graded  Lessons.  It  has 
made  contributions  from  time  to  time  to  objects  of  benevolence, 
and  assisted  liberally  in  the  building  of  the  new  church.  The 
windows  in  the  Sunday  School  room  were  all  paid  for  by  the  sev- 
eral classes  of  the  school. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  society  was  organized  many  years  ago  and 
has  a  creditable  record.  It  has  been  helpful  in  the  congregation 
in  its  past  history  and  has  often  contributed  to  objects  of  general 
benevolence,  but  the  activity  and  liberality  of  the  good  women 
of  the  congregation  in  the  building  of  the  new  church  deserves 
special  mention.  Women  are  good  church  workers,  and  it  is  a 
great  help  to  a  congregation  to  have  a  band  of  Christian  women 
to  work  for  it.  Every  congregation  ought  to  have  a  Ladies' 
Aid  society  and  it  ought  to  be  a  live,  working  organization. 


21 8  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

The  Luther  League,  which  has  been  organized  for  se\  eral 
years,  is  an  active  society.  It  has  regular  meetings  which  are 
generally  well  attended,  and  has  been  very  helpful  in  the  build- 
ing of  the  church ,  both  by  the  personal  assistance  of  its  members 
and  by  its  liberal  contributions.  The  present  officers  are  :  J.  Q. 
Waters,  president;  John  Neth,  vice  president;  Frederick  Pippert, 
treasurer;  Miss  Grace  Streicher,  recording  secretary,  and  Miss- 
Rosa  Neher,  corresponding  secretary. 

Thus  we  see  how  this  church  was  built.  The  men  worked 
and  the  women  nobly  assisted  them.  The  young  people  rend- 
ered valuable  assistance  and  the  children  brought  their  offerings. 
When  all  thus  joined  together  there  could  be  no  failure.  This 
congregation  is  now  70  years  old,  worshiping  in  the  third 
church  and  is  in  the  third  generation.  It  is  in  a  prosperous 
condition.  It  looks  back  with  gratitude  to  God  for  what  He  has 
done  for  it,  and  looks  forward  with  hope  for  yet  a  greater  meas- 
ure of  success  and  usefulness  in  the  future. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  pastors  of  Christ  church  : — 
Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  1 830-1847;  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  1 847-1858; 
a  vacancy;  Rev.  S.  B.  Lawson,  April,  1859,  to  Feb.,  1865  ;  Rev. 
J.  P.  Hentz,  June,  1865,  to  Sep.,  1866  ;  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke 
Oct.  1866,  to  Feb.,  1877  ;  Rev.  Phihp  Doerr,  May,  1877,  to 
Aug.,  1881  ;  Rev.  G.  A.  Wenzel,  D.  D.,  1881-1882  ;  Rev.  S.  K. 
Herbster,  Nov.,  1882,  June,  1891  ;  Rev.  A.  P.  Pfleuger,  Aug., 
1 891,  Jan.,  1893  ;  a  vacancy  of  six  months  supplied  by  Rev.  W. 
F.  Ulery;  Rev.  A.  H.  Kinnard,  Aug.,  1893,  to  Aug.,  1897,  Rev. 
E.  L.  Reed,  November  1897  to  the  present. 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    ADAMSBURG.  219 


XIX.     TRINITY  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH, 
ADAMSBURG,   WESTMORELAND  CO.,    PA. 

In  the  autumn  of  1848,  soon  after  the  death  of  Rev.  Michael 
J.  Steck,  a  meeting  of  the  Southern  Conference  was  called,  to 
consider  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  large  and  important 
parish  made  vacant  by  his  death,  and  provide  for  its  permanent 
supply. 

After  considering  the  size  and  strength  as  well  as  the  needs 
of  this  field  it  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the  Conference  that 
the  Greensburg  parish  ought  to  be  divided.  That  the  first 
church,  Greensburg,  and  Zions,  Harrold's,  should  constitute  the 
Greensburg  parish,  and  Brush  Creek,  Manor  and  Hill's  should 
constitute  another  parish.  The  former  would  then  have  had  500 
members  and  the  latter  over  600.  each  being  well  able  to  support 
a  pastor. 

By  this  arrangement  the  German  services  could  have  been 
held  as  often  as  they  had  been  before  and  provision  could  also 
have  been  made  for  the  growing  needs  of  the  English  speaking 
people.  The  recommendation  of  Conference  to  this  effect  at  first 
was  favorably  received,  and  no  doubt  would  have  been  endorsed 
by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  Brush  Creek  church,  had 
not  an  undue  influence  been  brought  to  bear  upon  them  by  out- 
side parties,  who  were  bitterly  opposed  to  the  use  of  the  English 
language  in  church  services.  Hence,  the  well  matured  plan  of 
the  Conference  was  defeated,  and  the  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  of 
the  East  Ohio  Synod,  was  elected  pastor  of  the  whole  parish  with 
the  understanding  that  he  conduct  services  in  the  German  lan- 
guage only. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  church  coun- 
cil and  Rev.  Mechling,  but  the  majority  of  the  council,  as  well  as 
Rev.  Mechling  refused  to  meet  the  committee.  Therefore  a 
meeting  was  called  of  the  members  of  the  Brush  Creek  church, 
who  desired  EngHsh  services.     At  this  meeting  'a  protest  was 


220  CONFERENCE    HISTORY. 

presented  and  acted  on,  which  was  laid  before  the  council  of 
said  church  in  the  hope  that  they  would  reconsider  their  action 
and  make  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  supply  of  the  parish, 
but  all  was  of  no  avail. 

After  every  means  of  securing  a  fair  and  just  settlement  of 
this  matter  had  been  exhausted  a  meeting  was  called,  in  the 
school  house  at  Adamsburg,  on  the  28th  of  July,  1849,  of  all 
those  members  of  the  Brush  Creek  church,  who  desired  the  or- 
ganization of  a  German-English  congregation.  Mr.  Samuel 
Zimmerman  was  elected  president  of  this  meeting  and  Mr.  Will- 
iam Cline,  secretary.  Rev.  John  Rugan,  a  minister  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod,  was  present,  who  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting. 

After  some  discussion  of  the  important  matter  that  had 
brought  these  people  together,  a  resolution  was  unanimously 
passed  to  organize  a  German- English  congregation  under  the 
name  of  '  'Holy  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of  Adams- 
burg, Pa." 

A  constitution  was  adopted  and  officers  were  elected  under 
it.  The  following  named  persons  constituted  the  first  church 
council :  Jacob  Steiner,  Samuel  Keck  and  J.  L.  Kunkle,  elders  ; 
Abram  Harman,  George  Allshouse  and  Jacob  Dry.  deacons ; 
Christopher  M.  Walthour  and  Samuel  Zimmerman,  trustees. 

By  appointment  of  the  President  of  Synod,  and  with  the 
approbation  of  the  congregation,  Rev.  John  Rugan  conducted 
English  services  in  the  school  house  at  Adamsburg  untill  a 
regular  pastor  was  called. 

On  the  ist  of  October,  1849,  Rev.  Rugan  resigned  and  Rev. 
Michael  Eyster,  of  Greencastle,  Pa.,  became  pastor  of  the 
Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  parish.  Soon  after  he  took  charge 
a  move  was  made  to  build  a  church.  An  acre  of  ground  was 
secured  from  Mr.  Joseph  Walthour,  a  short  distance  west  of  the 
village,  both  as  a  site  for  a  church  and  a  burial  place.  A  build- 
ing committee  was  appointed  ;  a  plan  secured,  and  subscriptions 
solicited.  The  contract  was  let  in  the  spring  of  1850,  and  the 
church  was  completed  by  the  ist  of  December,  1850,  and  on  the 
13th  of  the  same  month  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God. 
Revs.  W.  A.  Pasavant,    D.  D.,    and   W.  S.  Emery   assisted   the 


TRINITY  CHURCH,    ADAMSBURG,  221 

pastor  at  these  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant  preached  the  dedi- 
cation sermon  and  Rev.  Emery  assisted  ia  the ,  con.secration 
services. 

Rev.  Kyster  ministered  faithfully  to  the  congregation  for 
■nearly  four  years,  and  did  successful  work.  He  served  both  the 
German  and  English  speaking  people  with  great  acceptability, 
but  in  the  midst  of  his  life  of  usefulness  it  pleased  the  Master  to 
call  him  away  from  his  work  on  earth  to  his  reward  in  heaven. 
His  death  was  greatly  lamented  for  he  was  much  beloved.  He 
died  suddenly  on  the  loth  of  August,  1853,  in  the  40th  year  of 
his  age.  There  was  a  vacancy  of  some  seven  months  after  his 
death. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1854,  Rev,  Milton  Valentine,  then  of 
Pittsb.uig,  became  pastor  of  the  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  par- 
ish. He  served  this  congregation  for  one  year.  Dr.  Valentine 
was  appreciated  and  did  faithful  work  whilst  he  was  here. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1855,  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  Gettysburg,  became  temporary  pastor  of  the 
Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  parish  and  served  this  church  till 
August,  1855,  when  he  was  called  to  become  pastor  of  the 
Butler  and  Prospect  parish. 

On  August,  9th  1855,  Rev,  W.  F.  Ulery  became  pastor  and 
ministered  to  it  for  eight  years.  He  conducted  services  regularly 
in  German  and  English  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  The  at- 
tendance was  ver)'  encouraging,  and  there  was  a  fair  increase  in 
the  membership  during  his  pastorate.  There  were  some  repairs 
and  improvements  made  on  the  church.  The  wood  work  was 
painted,  new  Venetian  blinds  were  put  into  the  windows,  and  a 
successful  effort  was  made  to  cancel  an  old  debt. 

In  June,  1863,  Rev.  Ulery  was  called  by  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  to  become  general  missionary.  He  resigned  on  the  rst 
of  August  and  began  his  work  in  the  mission  field  on  the  ist  of 
September  following.  The  reports  of  his  ministerial  acts  shows 
that  he  baptized  96  children,  confirmed  57  adults,  and  received 
8  by  letters  of  transfer,  had  a  loss  of  15  by  death  and  removal, 
and  a  communicant  membership  of  120. 

Immediately  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  Ret 


222  CONFERKNCE  HISTORY. 

Daniel  Gar\er  of  Canton,  Ohio,  was  called  and  became  pastor 
ty\\  the  rst  ©f  October.  He  served  this  congregation  in  the 
same  order  as  his  predecessor  had  done,  holding  Germati  and 
F/ngIi?=h  services  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  He  did  earnest  and 
faithful  work  and  his  services  were  acceptable  to  the  people,  but 
♦)ii  the  30th  of  vSeptember,  1865,  it  pleased  the  Great  Head  of 
the  Church  to  call  him  to  his  reward. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Garver  was  a  sore  affliction  to  this 
congregation  and  he  was  sincerely  mourned.  Truly  God's  ways 
are  not  our  ways.  Often  the  very  persons  that  we  think  can 
least  be  spared  are  tirst  taken  away.  After  the  death  of  Rev. 
Garver,  German  services  were  discontinued. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1S66,  Rev.  J.  K.  Plitt  of  New 
Jersey,  was  called,  and  was  installed  on  the  1st  of  February  by 
Revs.  Reuben  Hill  and  J,  G.  Goettman.  He  ministered  to  this 
congregation  about  seven  years.  During  his  pastorate  he  held 
services  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  He  pursued  the  even  tenor 
of  his  way  without  making  any  special  change  in  his  work  or  in 
his  administration.  He  added  a  number  of  persons  to  the  con- 
gregation, but  owing  to  the  many  removals  the  membership 
gradually  diminished.  On  the  ist  of  July,  1873,  Rev.  Plitt  re- 
signed and  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in  the  Ministerium  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  was  called  in  the  spring  of  1874, 
and  commenced  his  labors  on  the  ist  of  June  and  was  installed 
on  the  16th  of  August,  by  Revs.  Samuel  Laird  and  V.  B.  Christy. 
He  served  this  congregation  on  every  alternate  Sunday,  as  his 
predecessor  had  done,  till  the  .spring  of  1876,  when  this  parish 
was  divided.  Greensburg  became  independent,  of  which  Rev. 
Bartholomew  continued  to  be  pastor.  Trinity  was  united  with 
Trinity,  Irwin,  to  constitute  a  new  parish,  of  which  Rev.  V.  B. 
Christy  became  pastor.  He  served  this  congregration  in  con- 
nection with  Irwin  for  several  years  with  a  good  degree  of  suc- 
cess. He  had,  in  a  good  measure,  won  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  these  people  and  had  learned  their  condition  and  needs, 
when  in  the  spring  of  iS8r,  he  accepted  a  unanimous  call  from 
the  Zelienople  and  Oak  Grove  parish.     Soon  after  the  resignation 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    ADAMSBURG.  22.3 

of  Rev,  Christy^  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund,  of  the  Theological  Seminary, 
Philadelphia,  became  his  successor  and  was  installed  on 
the  14th  of  August,  by  Revs.  W.  F,  Ulery  and  A.  H.  Waters, 
He  served  with  earnestness  on  his  part,  and  with  acceptance 
on  part  of  the  people.  In  June,  1883,  he  accepted  an  urgent 
call  from  a  Norwegian-EngHsh  congregation  in  Wilwaukee, 
Wisconsin,  During  his  short  pastorate  of  two  years  he  baptized 
25  children,  confirmed  24  adulis,  had  a  loss  of  nine  by  death 
and  removal,  and  a  communicant  membership  of  120. 

Trinity,  Irwin,  now  became  independent,  and  Adamsburg 
was  united  with  Brush  Creek  to  constitute  a  parish,  and  Rev.  C, 
H.  Hemsath  became  pastor  in  December,  1883,  and  continued  to 
serve  it  till  July,  1886.  He  rendered  acceptable  service,  but, 
like  his  predecessor,  he  was  here  just  long  enough  to  learn  the 
conditions  and  needs  of  the  people,  but  too  short  a  time  to  do  ef- 
fective work  in  developing  the  resources  of  the  congregation.  He 
performed  14  baptisms,  6  confirmations,  had  tour  losses  by  death 
and  a  communicant  membership  of  90. 

After  his  removal  to  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  the  parish  was  vacant 
till  January,  1887,  when  Rev,  Charles  S.  Seaman  of  Renova,  Pa., 
was  called  and  was  installed  on  the  6th  of  February,  by  Revs.  E. 
G.  Lund  and  E.  L.  Baker.  He  did  earnest  and  faithful  work  in 
this  parish,  conducted  services  on  every  alternate  Sunday  in  each 
church  ;  he  organized  a  Lutheran  Sunday  School  in  the  Adams- 
burg church,  which  he  conducted  there  as  long  as  he  was  pastor. 
He  was  a  conscientious  man,  whose  services  were  appreciated  by 
the  people,  but  it  pleased  the  Master  to  call  him  to  his  reward  on 
the  very  threshold  of  his  Hfe.  His  spirit  passed  away  on  the  6th 
of  September,  1889,  when  he  was  only  34  years  old,  and  in  the 
7th  year  of  his  ministry. 

Soon  after  his  death  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman  was  given  a 
unanimous  call  to  become  the  successor  ot  his  lamented  brother. 
In  December  following  he  accepted  the  call  and  took  charge  on 
the  ist  of  January,  1890,  and  was  installed  on  the  3d  ot  Feb- 
ruary by  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  D.  D.  He  was  pastor  for  six  years, 
and  a  half .  Following  is  the  record  of  his  ministerial  acts:  Per- 
formed 21    infant  baptisms,   36  confirmations,  had  a  loss  of  38 


?24  CONFERENCK  HLSTORY. 

and  a  communicant  membership  of  68,  On  the  ist  of  July,  1896, 
he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  St.  John's  church,  Homestead, 
Pa.,  where  he  is  now  the  successful  pastor. 

After  his  resignation  thi.s  jxirish  was  vacant  till  March, 
1897,  when  Rev.  Philip  Doerr  of  Dehnont,  Pa.,  became  pastor, 
who  was  installed  on  the  9th  of  May  following.  He  did  not, 
however,  become  pastor  of  Trinity  church  till  1S97,  since  which 
time  he  rendered  regular  service.  The  congregation,  which  was 
nearly  broken  up,  has  been  gathered  again  and  the  people  feel 
ijuite  encouraged.  He  has  baptized  13  children,  added  five  to 
the  communicant  membership,  and  there  was  a  loss  of  10  by 
death  and  removal  leaving  the  present  mem1)ership  50. 

We  observe,  in  looking  over  its  history,  how  the  congrega- 
tion, has  gradually  declined.  This  is  the  history  of  not  a  few  of 
our  country  congregations.  Many  of  the  families  are  con- 
tinually removing  to  the  towns  or  cities.  Thus  the  old 
congregation  grows  less  and  less  year  by  year.  The  old  mother 
church  at  Brush  Creek  has  had  the  same  experience,  and  the 
time  may  come  when  Trinity  and  Brush  Creek  w'ill  join  together 
to  build  one  house,  and  dwell  together  as  one  household. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  present  Church  ouncil: 
William  Jones,  Thomas  Robinson ,  elders;  William  Kunkle, 
Sebastian  Kunkle,  Israel  Painter  and  Fullerton  Thompson, 
deacons;  Frank  Errett  and  George  Jones,  trustrees'.  Rev.  PhiHp 
Doerr,  pastor  and  president  of  the  council. 

Following  is  the  list  of  pa.stors  of  Trinity  church: — Rev. 
John  Rugan  from  July,  1849,  till  Oct.,  i849;  Rev.  Michael 
Eyster,  Oct.,  1849,  August,  1853;  R^v.  Milton  Valentine,  April, 
1854,  April,  1855;  R^v.  A.  H.  W^aters,  supply  pastor  three 
months,  1855;  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  Aug.,  1855,  Aug.,  1865;  Rev. 
J.  K.  Plitt,  January,  1866,  July,  1873;  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew, 
June,  1874,  April,  1876;  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  April,  1876,  April, 
i88i;Rev.  E.  G.  Lund,  June,  1881,  June,  1883;  Rev.  Charles  S. 
vSeaman,  Jan.,  1887,  Sept.,  1889;  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman,  Jau;, 
1890,  July,  1896;  Rev;  Philip  Doerr,  1898,  to  the  present. 


SOUTHKRX    CONFEREXCIi.  225 


XX.  THE  SALEM  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH.  DELMONT.  PENNA. 

The  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  Hviug  in  Salem,  as 
Delmont  was  formerly  called,  and  its  vicinitv,  had  for  a  long 
time  felt  the  necessit}'  of  a  Lutheran  church  in  that  place  and 
had  ofteai  made  request  for  regular  services. 

Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  preached  occasionally,  but  in  1847. 
when  Rev.  John  Rugan  became  his  assistant,  he  made  arrange- 
ments for  regular  services  and  secured  the  use  ot  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  for  this  purpose. 

The  death  of  Rev.  Steck,  which,  occurred  in  the  autumn  of 
1848,  however,  seriously  interfered  with  this  arrangement,  but 
Rev.  Rugan  fulfilled  the  engagement  of  Father  Steck  as  far  as 
possible  as  long  as  he  was  pastor  of  Zion's  Church,    Greensburg. 

In  October,  1849,  when  Rev\  Michael  Eyster  became  pastor 
of  the  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  parish,  he  took  temporary 
charge  of  the  Salem  interest.  We  remember  distinctly  that  on 
Christmas,  1849,  we  accompanied  Revs.  Eyster  and  Rugan  to 
Salem  and  were  present  at  a  service  which  the  former  conducted 
in  the  Methodist  church. 

Rev.  Eyster  ministered  10  these  people  for  several  years  and 
held  services  as  often  as  his  duties  to  his  parish  permitted. 
Soon  after  he  began  to  preach  in  Salem  steps  were  taken  to 
organize  a  congregation  and  build  a  church. 

In  the  Spring  of  1850,  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  people 
united  in  the  work  of  building  a  church,  which  it  was  proposed 
they  would  own  and  use  jointly.  A  lot  was  secured  as  a  site,  a 
plan  was  adopted,  subscriptions  solicited  and  a  contract  let  for 
the  building.  The  work  was  promptly  begun,  and  progressed 
so  successful!)^  that  bj'  the  1st  of  September  the  church  was 
completed.  It  was  a  plain  brick  building,  40x60  feet  in  size, 
costing  $1,250  .     It  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  as  soon 


226  SALEM    CHURCH,    DFLMONT,    PA. 

as  it  was  finished.  Revs.  Michael  Ey-^ter,  John  Rugan  and 
David  Earhart  took  part  in  the  services  on  the  part  of  the  L  i  - 
theraiis  and  Revs.  N.  P.  Hacke  and  S.  H.  Gies^y  on  part  of  ihe 
Reformed. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  1850,  the  Lutheran  members  met 
in  the  new  church  and  organized  a  congregation  of  36  members 
under  the  title  of  "The  Salem   Evangelical  Eutheran   Church.' 

A  constitution  was  adopted  and  ofBcers  elected.  The  first 
Church  C<Hincil  was  composed  of  the  following  named  persions  : 
Casper  Klingensmith  and  John  Lenhart,  elders;  Joseph  Sher- 
bondy  and  Jacob  Bush,  deacons;  John  Zimmerman,  trustee. 

Soon  after  the  organization  ♦he  Holy  Communion  was  cele- 
brated in  which  36  persons  participated.  After  the  opening  of 
the  new  church  there  was  a  rapid  increase  in  the  membership, 
for  at  a  communion  held  in  April,  1851,  six  months  after  the 
organization  of  the  church,  75  persons  were  present. 

Rev.  Eyster  continued  to  minister  to  this  congregation  till 
the  Spring  of  1852,  and  he  rendered  valuable  services  here.  The 
church  was  built ;  the  congregation  was  organized  and  grew  rap- 
idly under  his  ministry.  Rev.  J.  N.  Burket  of  Saltsburg,  ren- 
dered him  some  assistance  on  several  occasions  and  took  charge 
of  this  congregation  in  the  Spring  of  1852,  when  Rev.  Eyster  re- 
signed, and  served  it  till  April,  1853.  There  was  a  vacancy  of 
six  months  after  the  withdrawal  of  Rev.  Burket,  during  which 
time  the  S.slem  and  Saint  James  churches  were  united  and  con- 
stituted a  parish 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1853,  Mr.  Charles  H.  Hersh,  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  was  examined  by  the  South- 
ern Conference  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and,  liaving  been  recom- 
mended to  the  president,  was  granted  ad-interim  license.  He 
innnediately  accepted  a  call  from  the  Salem  and  Saint  James  par- 
ish. Rev.  Hersh  was  an  earnest  and  acceptable  preacher  and  a 
faithful  pastor,  and  served  this  congregation  satisfactorily  for 
nearly  three  years.  He  made  the  following  report  of  his  min- 
isterial acts  :  He  performed  22  infant  baptisms,  confirmed  23 
adults,    and  added    seven  to  the    commimicant  membership  by 


SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE.  227 

It-tters  of   transfer,  and  had    a  membership  of  90  at  the  close  of 
his  pastorate. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1856,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lu- 
theran church  at  Dansville,  New  York.  After  a  vacancy  of  a 
f(-\v  month.s  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter  became  pastor  of  this  parish. 
He  was  here  durinjj;  the  years  of  financial  depression  and  during 
''the  troublous  times"  of  the  Civil  War.  which  imposed  heavy 
burdens  on  ministers  and  sorely  tried  our  churches.  The  divided 
sentiment  among  the  members  often  made  the  work  of  the  min- 
ister quite  embarrasing. 

In  the  Spring  of  1866,  Rev.  Yetter  resigned,  and  accepted  a 
call  from  the  Lutheran  church,  at  Knoxville,  Iowa.  At  the 
close  of  his  pastorate  he  made  the  following  report  of  his  min- 
isterial acts:  He  baptized  129  children,  confirmed  78  adults, 
and  added  27  to  the  membership  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  a 
communicant  membership  of  162. 

In  October,  1866,  Rev.  J.  D.  English,  of  the  Hartwick 
Synod,  New  York,  was  called  and  was  pastor  of  this  parish  about 
two  years.  He  was  here  during  the  time  of  the  discussion  of 
important  doctrinal  and  synodical  questions,  when  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod  withdrew  from  the  General  Synod  and  united  with 
the  General  Council  ot  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church.  That 
was  a  time  of  sharp  controversy  when  not  a  few  of  our  churches 
were  shaken  to  their  very  center,  and  Salem  Lutheran  church 
was  no  exception.  It  was  strongly  urged  to  withdraw  from  the 
Pittsburg  S3'nod,  but  it  stood  firm  and  was  loyal  to  our  synod. 

In  1865,  by  mutual  agreement,  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
congregations  dissolved  the  union  between  them.  The  Luth- 
erans purchasing  the  interest  of  the  Reformed  in  the  old  church 
property. 

In  1867  the  Reformed  congregation  finally  withdrew  from 
the  old  church,  as  their  new  one  was  now  completed,  and  the 
Lutheran  congregation  took  full  possession.  In  the  same  year 
when  the  Lutherans  realized  that  the  old  church  was  no  longer 
fit  for  use  and  could  not  be  satisfactorily  repaired,  they  took  pre- 
liminary steps  to  build  a  new  church.     A  plan  was  secured  and 


228  SALKM    CHURCH,    DKLXONT,    PA. 

adopted,  subscriptions  were  solicited  and  the  contract  was  let  lor 
the  building  of  the  church. 

Early  in  the  Spring  of  iS68,  the  work  of  building  was 
commenced  and  was  carried  forward  as.  rapidly  as  tlie  nejjs- 
sary  means  could  ba  provided.  On  the  24111  of  Ju;ie  the  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  appropriate  and  impressiv<;  services.  Revs. 
(>.  A.  Wenzel,  W.  A.  Passavant,  J.  K.  Plitt,  W.  F.  Ulery  and 
J.  K.  Melhorn  were  present  and  assisted  Rev.  J.  D.  English,  the 
pastor,  at  these  ser\ices.  Rev.  Dr.  Wenzel  made  a  German 
fcddress  and  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant  preached  a  very  appropriate 
English  sermon. 

In  July,  1 863,  Flev.  J.  D.  English  resigned  and  Salem 
church  was  vacant  till  October  following,  when  Rev.  V.  B. 
Christ}'  became  pastor,  and  took  up  the  work  of  church  building 
where  his  predecessor  had  left  it.  When  Rev.  Christy  took 
charge  the  brick  walls  were  cnlj^  Vjegun,  and,  owing  to  the  late- 
ne.ss  of  the  season,  the  work  of  building  was  carried  on  with  no 
little  difficulty,  yet  by  the  following  spring  the  church  was  fully 
enclosed.  The  completion  of  tlie  building  was  carried  forward 
as  fast  as  circumstances  permitted. 

On  the  I  Sth  of  October,  1869,  the  first  service  was  held  in 
the  church  ;  but  it  was  not  finished  till  the  ist.  of  January,  1S70, 
and  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month  it  was  set  apart  to  the  wor- 
ship of  God  with  solemn  services.  Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant  and 
H.  W.  Roili  of  the  Pittsburg,  Synod  and  Revs.  Enoch  Smith  and 
J.  H.  vSmith,  of  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  were  present  and  as- 
sisted at  these  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant  preached  the  dedi- 
cation sermon,  and  the  other   brethren  took  part  in  the  services. 

The  church  is  a  neat  brick  building,  gothic  in  style,  45x65 
feet  in  size  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  four  hundred  and 
fifty  persons.  It  h.is  a  basement  for  lecture  room  and  Sunday' 
School  purpo.ses.  It  was  plainly  fini.shed  and  furnished  and, 
when  first  built  cost  about  $6,000. 

Rev.  Christy  was  pastor  for  .seven  ^-ears  and  a  half  and  did 
a  good  work  here.  During  the  pastorate  of  his  predecessor,  ow- 
ing, in  a  large   measure,   to  the   controversy  in  the  church,  the 


SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE.  229 

membership  had  fallen  below  one  hundred /but  under  his  min- 
istry it  increased  to  one  hundred  and  fifty.  He  baptized  102 
children  ;  confirmed  67  adults,  and  added  others  by  letters  of 
transfer. 

In  1876,  this  parish  was  divided;  Salem  church  united 
with  St.  John's,  Manor,  to  form  a  new  parish,  and  St.  James 
united  with  Saltsburg  and  Fennelton.  Rev.  Chrisy  resigned 
both  and  accepted  a  call  from  the    Irwin  and  Adamsburg  parish. 

On  the  I  St  of  April,  1876,  Rev.  J.  A.  Bauman  accepted  a 
call  from  the  Salem  and  Manor  parish,  and  was  pastor  of  it  for 
one  3'ear.  He  rendered  acceptable  service  ;  but  his  pastorate 
was  too  short  to  do  much  effective  work.  However,  he  intro- 
duced the  church  service,  which,  though  at  one  time  it  met  with 
no  little  opposition,  has  become  quite  popular.  April,  1877,  Rev. 
J.  A.  Bauman  resigned  and  accepted  a  professorship  in  the  Key- 
stone State  Normal  School,  Kutztown,  Pa. 

In  the  summer  of  1887,  when  the  Salem  and  Manor  parish 
had  become  vacant  by  the  removal  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Bauman,  Rev. 
A.  D.  Potts  was  called  and  became  pastor.  He  began  his  work 
with  an  earnest  purpose,  for  he  was  glad  to  return  to  active  min- 
istry, but  he  had  labored  only  for  a  short  time  till  he  was  pros- 
trated by  a  very  severe  illness  and  was  compelled  to  give  up  the 
work,  to  his  bitter  disappointment  and  to  the  great  regret  of  the 
people  of  this  church. 

After  a  long  vacancy  Rev.  John  D.  Roth  was  called.  He 
accepted  the  call  on  the  ist  of  July,  1878,  and  rendered  ac- 
ceptable service  and  his  labors  were  crowned  with  success.  He 
conducted  services  regularly  in  the  several  churches  of  the  par- 
ish, but  he  gave  Sa^em  more  of  his  time  and  service  than  the 
rest.  During  his  pastorate  the  basement  of  the  church  was  fin- 
ished and  fitted  up  for  a  Sunday  School  room.  He  continued 
his  work  in  this  church  till  March,  1882,  when  he  resigned  and 
accepted  an  urgent  call  from  a  mission  church  at  Sydney,  111. 
He  made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  at  the  close 
of  his  pastorate.  He  baptized  18  children ;  added  31  persons 
to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  and 


230  SAI.EM    CHURCH,    DKLMONT,    PA. 

nineteen  by  letters  of   transfer  and   had  a  loss  of  eight  by  death 
and  removal  and  a  membership  of   185. 

In  June,  1882.  Rev.  John  W.  Myers  became  the  successor 
of  Rev.  Roth.  H-?  did  good  work  in  this  congregation.  He 
made  valuable  additions  to  the  merabyrship,  and,  during  his  pis- 
torate,  the  parsonage  was  built.  He  deserves  much  credit  for  his 
zeal  and  self-denial  in  carr5ang  on  this  work  and  bringing  it  to 
completion.  He  has  given  the  following  report  of  his  min- 
isterial acts  :  He  performed  51  infant  baptisms,  added  52  per- 
sons to  the  chur  h  by  confirmation  and  21  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  had  a  communicant  membership  of  225  at  the  close  of  his 
pastorate.  On  the  26th  of  June,  1886,  he  resigned  and  accepted 
a  call  from  Grace  church,  Rochester,  Pa. 

On  the  Tst  of  Octoder,  1886,  Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway  suc- 
ceeded him,  who  did  earnest  and  faithful  work  in  this  church. 
During  his  pastorate  the  church  was  remoddeled  and  much  im- 
proved. A  recess  was  built,  fine  stained  glass  windows  were  put 
in,  and  the  church  was  frescoed  and  painted.  This  Avork  was 
done  at  considerable  co-t  of  labor  and  money. 

On  the  rst  of  November,  1891,  Rev.  C.  L,.  Holloway  re- 
signed and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish.  He 
made  the  following  report  when  he  closed  his  pastorate  :  59 
baptisms.  55  confirmations,  and  nine  additions  by  letters  of 
transfer.  A  loss  of  21  by  death  and  48  by  removal  and  a  mem- 
bership of  225. 

On  the  following  December  Rev.  Philip  Doerr  was  called 
and  became  pastor.  He  labored  successfully  for  about  one  year 
when  he  accepted  a  call  from  Ligonier  parish.  After  serving 
that  church  for  seven  months  he  was  re-called  to  Salem  church, 
and  served  this  congregation  quite  acceptably  till  xMarch,  1887, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Brush  Creek  parish.  He  has 
made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  48  baptisms; 
43  confirmations  and  15  additions  b}'  letters  of  transfer.  A  loss 
of  1 7  by  death  and  1 8  by  removal  and  a  communicant  member- 
ship of  234. 

In  June,  1897,  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum  was  called  and  took 
charge  of  the    congregation    at    once.     He    followed    the   same 


SOUTHERN   CONFERRNCE;.  23I 

order  as  his  predecessor,  conducting  services  every  Sunday 
morning  and  evening  and  holding  corauiunion  four  times  a  year. 
During  his  pastorate  the  congregation  reached  the  highest  mark 
in  point  of  membership.  The  largest  communions  were  held 
that  are  on  record  in  its  history — about  200  out  of  a  member- 
ship of  240. 

During  the  summer  of  1900,  the  church  was  thoroughly 
repaired,  at  a  cost  of  Jabout  $800.  The  auditorium  was 
frescoed  and  painted  as  well  as  carpeted;  new  heaters  were 
placed  in  the  basement,  the  hall  was  also  frescoed  and  the  out 
side,  both  brick  and  wood-work,  were  painted. 

Dui  ing  the  last  week  in  September  the  congregation  cele- 
brated the  Fiftieth  anniversary  of  its  organization.  Rev.  Rosen- 
baum  was  ably  assisted  in  these  services  by  the  several  pasiors 
of  the  conference,  as  well  as  by  former  pastors  of  this  church. 

On  Thursday,  the  27th,  the  Jubilee  Day,  Revs.  A.  h-  Yount, 
H.  L.  McxMurry,  V.  B.  Christy,  S.  K.  Herbster  and  W.  F. 
Ulery  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  feast  of  rejoicing.  Dr. 
Yount  delivered  the  Jubilee  discourse,  Revs.  McMurry,  Herb- 
ster and  Christy  made  pleasant  and  suitable  addresses  and  Rev. 
Ulery  read  the  history  of  the  congregation  and  brief  sketches  of 
its  pastors.  It  was  a  time  of  great  rejoicing  in  the  congrega- 
tion, which  was  never  in  a  more  prosperous  condition  than  it 
has  been  during  the  present  pastorate.  Rev.  Roseiibaum  has 
made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  He  has  bap- 
tized 65  children,  confirmed  35  adults,  and  added  22  members  by 
letters  of  transfer  ;  had  a  loss  of  18  by  death,  and  22  by  removal. 

On  the  I  St  of  April,  1902,  Rev.  Rosenbaum  resigned  and 
accepted  a  call  from  Monaca,  Pa.  The  Salem  church  has  a  good 
Sunday  School,  numbering  150  members,  with  a  good  staff  of 
officers  :  C.  J.  Shuster  is  the  superintendent,  Peter  KHngensmith 
assistant,  A.  J.  Shuster,  treasurer,  and  Emma  Blose  and  Lucy 
Morrison,  librarians.  It  also  has  a  Luther  League,  numbering 
25  active  members,  which  holds  regular  meetings  on  every  Sun- 
day evening,  and  invites  all  the  young  people  of  the  congrega- 
tion to  meet  with  them  and  take  part  in  the  exercises.  Tha 
present  officers  are:    A.   J.  Shuster,  presidstit;  Jacob  Holtzer, 


232  SALEM   CHimCH,    DEI.MONT,    Pa. 

vice  president,  Lucy  Morrison,  secretary  and  LeouiaRosenbanm, 
treasurer. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  many  years  ago, 
and  has  been  a  very  useful  and  effective  organization  in  this 
church.  It  has  now  30  members.  The  present  officers  are : 
Mrs.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  president;  Mrs.  John  Morrison,  vice 
president;  Miss  Josie  Blose,  secretary,  and  Mrs.  Margaret  Marks, 
treasurer. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  church  council :  Joseph 
Kaylor  and  Daniel  Shuster,  elders;  William  J.  Blose,  John  Guy, 
James  Speakman  and  J.  B.  Shuster,  deacons ;  C.  J.  Shuster, 
John  Silvis  and  Jos.  Si  I  vis,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors  of  Salem  church :  Rev.  Michael  Eyster, 
1849-1852  ;  Rev.  Jacob  Neff  Burket,  1852-1853  ;  Rev.  Charles  H. 
Hersh,  18531856;  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter,  1856-1866;  Rev.  J.  D. 
English,  1866  to  July  1868;  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy.  Oct.  1868  to 
April,  1876;  Rev.  J.  A.  Bauman,  April,  1876-1877  ;  Rev.  A.  D. 
Potts  several  months  in  1877  ;  Rev.  J.  D.  Roth,  July,  1877,  Mar. 
1882;  Rev.  J.  W.  Myers,  June,  1882-1886;  Rev.  C.  L.  Hollo- 
way,  Oct..  1886,  Nov.  1891  ;  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  1891-1897  ;  Rev. 
R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  June,  1897,  April,  1902. 


SALKM  CHURCH  AXl)  PAR.SOXaGE,  DELMONT 


ilOLY  TRINITY  CHUKCH,  LaTROBE 


SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE.  233 


XXI.     ZION'S    EVANGELICAI.    LUTHERAN    CHURCH, 
JOHNSTOWN,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Zion's  German  church  was  organized  in  1851,  as  an  inde- 
pendent Lutheran  congregation,  and  continued  as  such  until 
after  the  great  flood  at  Johnstown  in  1889. 

At  its  organization  it  was  composed  of  a  few  families  who 
were  in  humble  circumstances.  They,  however,  had  no  sooner 
organized  than  they  felt  the  need  of  a  church,  and  made  a  move 
to  build  one  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  the  second  year  of  their  history  steps  were  taken  to  build 
a  church;  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  work, 
subscribers  were  solicited,  a  plan  was  adopted,  and  the  contract 
for  its  erection  was  let. 

It  was  a  modest  frame  building,  about  30x45  feet  in  size, 
plainly  finished  and  correspondingly  furnished.  It  was  com- 
pleted in  December,  1852,  and  dedicated  in  January,  1853,  with 
appropriate  services.  It  met  the  needs  of  the  congregation  at 
that  time,  and  answered  a  good  purpose  in  that  it  furnished 
these  people  a  comfortable  place  of  worship  for  fifteen  years. 

In  1868,  a  large,  handsome  brick  church  was  built  to  meet 
the  needs  as  well  as  to  satisfy  the  taste  of  the  congregation, 
which  had  now  greatly  increased  in  financial  ability  and  social 
standing,  as  well  as  in  membership. 

In  addition  to  the  church,  a  large  and  commodious  school 
house  was  built  to  accommodate  their  parochial  school,  and  a 
suitable  pastor's  home  was  erected  along  side  of  the  church. 
These  valuable  buildings,  which  stood  on  the  corner  of  Locust 
and  Jackson  streets,  were  all  swept  away  by  the  great  disaster 
known  as  the  Johnstown  fllood.  Rev.  John  Lichtenberg,  the 
pastor,  and  his  family  consisting  of  his  wife  and  four  children 
as  well  as  many  of  the  members,  lost  their  lives  in  that  fatal 
flood. 


234  ZION    CHURCH,    JOHNSTOWN,    PA. 

The  congregation,  which  had  been  strong  and  independent 
before,  and  had  looked  forward  with  self  confidence  and  hope  of 
success,  was  almost  wiped  out  of  existence.  With  its  church, 
school  house  and  parsonage,  as  well  as  its  pastor  and  niany 
members  gone,  the  outlook  for  the  future  was  dark  and  discour- 
aging. Nothing  remained  but  the  ground  upon  which  the 
church  and  other  buildings  had  stood,  and  that  was  encumbered 
by  a  mortgage  of  $3,000.00,  and  the  surviving  members  had 
barely  escaped  with  their  lives. 

Immediately  after  the  flood,  Rev.  Paul  F.  A.  Glasow  was 
called  and  took  charge  of  this  field.  He  began  his  work  with  an 
earnest  purpose  to  re-establish  the  church.  He  gathered  the  peo- 
ple; assisted  some  in  their  need,  and  encouraged  them  to  unite 
in  a  Christian  congregation.  By  the  help  of  God,  and  with  the 
co-operation  of  Christian  people,  he  was  eminently  successful  in 
his  work.  The  members,  in  their  great  need,  appealed  to  their 
brethren  in  the  German  churches  at  Reading  and  at  Philadel- 
phia, and  were  kindly  assisted. 

Through  the  energy  and  influence  of  Rev.  J.  Kendig  of 
Reading,  and  Rev.  F.  Wischau  of  Philadelphia,  $4,016  were 
collected  and  given  to  this  congregation  on  condition  that  it 
would  unite  with  an  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  in  connection 
with  the  General  Council. 

The  gift  was  thankfully  accepted,  and,  through  the  influence 
of  Rev.  Glasow,  the  condition  of  uniting  with  a  synod,  was 
cheerfully  and  promptly  fulfilled.  The  congregation  adopted  a 
constitution  and  charter  in  harmony  with  the  doctrinal  basis  of 
the  General  Council,  and  in  1890  united  with  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  of    the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. 

Rev.  Glasow  was  a  most  zealous  and  godly  man,  who  worked 
faithfully  at  home.  He  appealed  to  the  churches  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod  for  aid,  and  in  a  short  time  he  succeeded  in  a  mar- 
velous manner  in  building  up  this  congregation. 

Earl}^  in  1890  a  movement  was  made  to  build  a  school  house 
which  could  be  used  as  a  place  of  worship,  as  well  as  for  school 
purposes,  until  a  church  could  be  erected.  The  school  house  is 
a  large,  plain  brick  building,  having  two  rooms  on  the  first  floor, 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  235 

and   a  large  hall  on  the  second  floor.     It  was  finished  and  dedi- ' 
cated  in  August,    1890.  ' 

Soon  after  the  school  house  was  completed  a  beginning  was 
made  to  build  a  church,  and  the  work  was  carried  on  as  fast  as 
possible.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year,  and  the  work  of  finishing  the  church  was  pushed  so  vig- 
orously and  successfully  that  it  was  completed  in  May,  1891,  and 
on  the  3rd  of  the  same  month  it  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  God.  Rev.  William  J.  Mann,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzmann,  D.  D.,  and  R.  M.  Zimmerman  were 
present  on  the  occasion  and  assisted  the  pastor. 

The  church  stands  on  the  site  of  the  former  one,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Jackson  and  Locust  streets.  It  is  a  fine  brick  building, 
gothic  in  style,  60x78  feet  in  size,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
800.  It  is  well  built,  neatly  finished  and  furnished,  and  is 
churchly  in  all  its  appointments.  It  and  the  school  house  cost 
about  $25,000,  and  are  now  free  from  encumbrance. 

Rev.  Glasow  was  quite  as  successful  in  collecting  money  as 
in  gathering  the  people  together  after  their  overwhelming  disas- 
ter, but  in  the  midst  of  his  life  of  usefulness  it  pleased  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church  to  summon  him  to  his  reward.  On  the  8th 
of  April,  1897,  his  work  on  earth  was  suddenly  ended  by  death. 
So  great  was  the  shock  of  his  loss  that  for  a  time  everything  in 
the  congregation  stood  still.  His  early  removal  was  lamented 
not  only  by  his  people,  but  also  by  his  ministerial  brethren. 

The  minutes  of  the  Synod  give  the  following  record  of  his 
ministerial  acts.  He  performed  897  infant  baptisms,  added  401 
to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of  confirmation,  and 
a  larger  number  by  letters  of  transfer.  The  losses  by  death  and 
removal  were  279,  leaving  a  membership  of  950  at  the  close  of 
his  pastorate. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  our  lamented  brother  Glasow, 
the  president  of  the  synod  sent  Rev.  John  Luepke  as  a  supply. 
On  the  14th  of  May,  i897,  he  was  elected  as  pastor  of  the 
congregation,  and  was  installed  on  the  loth  of  June  by  Rev.  F. 
W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  of  Greensburg.  Rev.  Luepke  served  the 
congregation  for  two  years  and  seven  months,   ministering  regu- 


235  ZION's   church,    JOHNSTOWN,    PA. 

larly  and  performing  all  necessary  ministerial  acts  ;  but  he 
lacked  the  physical  strength  to  do  the  work  required  in  this 
church,  so  in  December,  1898,  he  resigned.  The  following  is  a 
summary  of  his  parochial  records  :  he  baptized  332  children,  con- 
firmed 191  adults,  and  added  60  by  letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of 
196  by  death  and  removal,  left  an  effective  membership  of  810. 

There  was  a  short  vacancy  after  the  resignation  of  Rev. 
Luepke,  and  in  January,  1900,  Rev.  Hugo  R.  Erdmann,  of  the 
Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  was  called.  He  became  pastor  of 
this  parish  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  and  was  installed  on 
the  4th  of  February  by  Rev.  C  L.  Boecele.  He  has  ministered 
regularl)'  and  faithfully  in  word  and  sacrament,  and  has  per- 
formed all  necessary  ministerial  acts  and  pastoral  duties  as  far  as 
one  man  is  able  to  do  this  work  in  such  a  large  parish.  We 
think  that  the  congregation  now  needs  and  is  able  to  support  an 
assistant  pastor. 

Rev.  Erdmann  made  the  following  report  of  his  work 
during  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate  :  He  baptized  261  chil- 
dren, confirmed  139  adults,  added  113  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  has  now  a  membership  of  1200. 

Since  he  became  pastor  a  fine  pastor's  home  has  been  pro- 
vided by  the  congregation.  Early  in  1900  a  lot  on  Jackson 
street  was  purchased  for  $4,000,  and  an  elegant  house  was  built 
at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  It  is  large,  well  built,  neatly  furnished, 
and  contains  eleven  rooms  with  all  the  modern  conveniences  of  a 
well  planned  house.  It  was  finished  in  the  autumn  of  1900  and 
dedicated  as  a  pastor's  home  on  the  30th  of  September.  The 
pastor  was  assisted  on  this  interesting  occasion  by  Rev.  C.  L. 
Boecele,  and  since  the  ist  of  October,  1900,  the  house  has  been 
the  happy  home  of  the  worthy  pastor  of  the   Johnstown  parish. 

On  the  3rd  of  May,  1901,  the  Tenth  anniversary  of  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  church  was  celebrated  with  interesting  services. 
On  this  occasion  two  fine  new  bells  w^ere  dedicated  and  placed  in 
the  tower,  which,  with  the  one  already  there,  form  a  chime. 

The  congregation  has  a  large,  well  organized  Sunday 
School,  of  which  J.  Paul  Kirschmann,  the  parochial  teacher,  is 
the  superintendent.     It  has  six   officers,  forty-six  teachers,   and 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  237 

727    scholars,     and  is   divided  into    four  separate    departments. 

The  first  department,  made  up  of  the  Bible  classes,  in- 
cludes all  scholars  above  twelve  years  of  age.  It  has  20  classes, 
20  teachers,  and  238  scholars.  The  second  department  is  the 
Intermediate,  and  includes  scholars  between  the  aj^e  of  nine  and 
twelve.  It  has  14  classes,  14  teachers,  and  210  scholars.  The 
third  is  the  Primary  department,  and  includes  between  the  Si<xe 
of  seven  and  nine.  Miss  Charlotte  Fox  is  the  leader.  This  de- 
partment has  six  divisions,  six  teachers  and  139  scholars.  The 
fourth,  or  Infant  department,  including  children  between  the 
ages  ot  four  and  seven,  has  Miss  Anna  Schill  for  its  leader. 
There  are  six  divisions,  six  teachers  and  140  scholars. 

Zion's  church  has  a  sewing  circle,  and  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society 
of  250  members  which  hold  regular  meetings  and  are  doing  good 
work.  It  has  a  society  of  young  men,  and  one  of  young  women, 
each  doing  effective  Vvork  for  the  congregation.  There  is  aLso 
an  oruaiiization  of  the  young  confirmed  members,  whose  meet- 
ings are  intended  for  their  mutual  upbuilding.  The  large  pa- 
rochial school  is  under  the  direction  of  J.  Paul  Kirchmann. 

The  present  church  council  is  composed  of  the  following 
named  persons  :  Rev.  Hugo  R.  Erdmann,  pastor  and  ex-officio 
chairman,  Mr.  Charles  Bader,  president,  Mr.  Rudolph  Luebbert, 
secretary,  elders,  Mr.  Charles  Braun,  Mr.  Henry  W.  Fox,  Mr. 
Henry  Geisel,  Mr.  August  Fey,  Mr.  August  Koch,  Mr.  Henry 
Doeris,  Mr.  George  Fueg,  deacons. 

List  of  pastors  of  Zion's  Lutheran  church,  before  the  Johns- 
town Flood  :  Rev.  Theobold  Kleiss,  who  organized  the  congre- 
gation and  was  its  pastor  until  1853 ;  Rev.  Christian  C.  A. 
Brandt,  1 854- 1855  ;  Rev.  Henry  S.  Lasar,  1855-1856  ;  Rev.  C. 
Kress,  1856-185^  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Siek,  1 859-1862  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Karl 
Taubner,  1863-1876 ;  Rev.  Karl  Knotz,  1876-1882 ;  Rev.  H. 
Veith,  1882-1889  ;  Rev.  J.  P.  Lichtenberg,  who  arrived  in  Johns- 
town on  the  30th  of  May,  1889,  and  on  the  31st  he  and  his  fam- 
ily were  swept  aw^ay.  After  the  Flood  :  Rev.  Paul  F.  A. 
Glasow,  June,  1889  to  April,  1897  ;  Rev.  John  Luepke,  May, 
1897,  to  Dec.  1899  ;  Rev.  Hugo  R.  Erdmann,  Jan.  1900  to  the 
present  time. 


238         ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  DONEGAL  TWP, 


XXII.     ST.    PAUL'S    EVANGEIvICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,    FRANKLIN,   DONEGAL    TOWN- 
SHIP,' WESTMORELAND,  CO.,  PA. 

Services  were  held  in  the  Franklin  school  house  for  some 
time  by  Rev.  Jos.  B.  Focht  before  an  attempt  was  made  to  foriu 
a  congregation.  On  the  iSth  of  March,  1852,  the  first  steps 
were  taken  towards  organizing,  and  on  the  20th  the  congrega- 
tion was  fully  organized  with  29  members,  under  the  title  of  the 
St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Franklin.  A  consti- 
tution was  adopted  and  officers  were  elected. 

The  following  named  persons  were  the  first  church  council  : 
Charles  Miller  and  Frederick  Siebel,  elders;  and  Charles  F. 
Uler>'  and  Benjamin  Brougher,  deacons,  who  were  installed  im- 
mediately after  their  election  and  thus  inducted  into  their  sev- 
eral offices. 

The  Holy  Communion  was  celebrated  on  the  following  Sun- 
day when  27  persons  were  present.  Services  were  regularl)' 
conducted  in  the  Franklin  school  house  on  eve^y  alternate  Sun- 
day till  the  church  was  built. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1853,  ten  members  were  added  to 
the  congregation  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  the  Holy  Com- 
munion was  again  celebrated  in  which  39  persons  participated. 

Soon  after  Rev.  Focht  had  begun  his  work  at  Franklin  he 
discussed  the  necessity  of  building  a  church.  Early  in  1853, 
after  having  carefully  considered  the  matter,  the  congregation 
decided  to  build.  A  plot  of  ground  was  secured  from  Simon 
Snyder,  one  of  the  leading  members  for  a  nominal  sum  as  a  site 
and  a  cemetery.  The  pastor  furnished  a  plan  for  a  church  and, 
assisted  by  the  church  council,  devised  ways  and  means  for 
its  erection. 

Steps  were  taken  to  collect  money  and  provide  materials. 
The   work   of   building  was  commenced  in  the  spring  of   1853, 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  239 

and  carried  on  as  rapidly  as  possible.     On   the  226.  of   April  the 
corner  stone  was  laid  by  the  pastor  with  appropriate  services. 

The  work  of  completing  the  church  was  pushed  forward  as 
fast  as  circumstances  permitted,  each  one  doing  what  he  could. 
Henry  Snyder,  one  of  the  older  members,  did  the  carpenter 
work  for  a  mere  nominal  sum.  Other  members  donated  labor, 
or  gave  money,  and  members  of  the  church  council  and  the 
pastor,  made  no  small  personal  sacrifices  in  the  building  of  this 
church. 

By  the  ist  of  September  it  was  finished  and  was  consecrated 
to  the  worship  of  God  with  joyous  and  impressive  services. 
Rev.  J.  R.  Focht,  the  pastor,  was  assisted  at  these  services  by 
Rev.  W.  S.  Emery,  of  West  Newton,  Pa.,  who  preached  the  ded- 
icatory sermon  and  the  pastor  performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

The  churcli  was  a  frame  building  30x36  feet  in  size.  Plain 
in  its  architecture  and  finish,  and  cost  only  about  $500  in  cash. 
As  we  have  noted  much  of  the  work  was  done  as  a  donation. 
Though  not  large  it  was  suitable  for  the  congregations  which  at 
that  time  numbered  about  forty  members.  Soon  after  the 
church  had  been  completed  and  dedicated  Rev.  Focht  resigned 
the  Donegal  parish  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  congregation  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Maryland  Synod. 

His  resignation  was  followed  by  a  vacancy  of  four  months. 
In  January,  1854,  William  H.  Wynn,  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, Spr  ngrteld,  having  received  ad-interira  license  from  the 
president  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  on  the  ist  of  February  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  the  Donegal  parish.  He  was  pastor  there  less 
than  two  years.  He  served  this  congregation  acceptably  but  his 
pastorate  was  too  short  to  accomplish  any  permanent  results. 
He  has  left  no  record  of  his  ministerial  acts. 

In  April,  1856,  Rev.  George  Gaumer  became  pastor  of  this 
parish,  who  ministered  to  this  congregation  on  every  alternate 
Sunday  and  held  communion  twice  a  year.  During  the  first 
year  of  his  pastorate  important  changes  and  improvements  were 
made  on  the  church,  which  cost  about  $200.  He  was  pastor  of 
this  congregation  for  twelve  years,  faithfully  preaching  the  word 
and  performing  all  the  duties  of  a   pastor. 


240  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  DONEGAL  TWP. 

No  complete  histor}- of  Rev.  Gaiimer's  work  has  been  prcservHcI: 
but  the  communion  record  shows  that  there  was  a  gradual  in- 
crease in  the  membership  during  his  pastorate.  In  April,  cS''iS. 
he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  tlie  Wadsworlh  paiisii. 
Medina,  County,  Chio. 

After  his  resignation  there  was  a  vacancy  of  almost  a  year 
during  which  time  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  of  Manor  Station,  Pa.,  sup- 
plied this  congregation.  He  conducted  services  ev^ery  two  weeks 
and  held  two  communions  and  also  performed  all  other  pas- 
toral work. 

In  December,  1868,  Rev.  John  Welfle}^  was  called,  and 
became  pastor  on  the  ist  of  January,  1869.  He  was  th-e 
faithful  and  earnest  shepherd  of  St.  Paul's  church  for  six  years 
and  six  months.  He  held  his  first  communion  on  the  19th  of 
May,  1869,  at  which  42  persons  were  present.  He  conducted 
services  regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and  peformed  all 
the  duties  of  a  minister.  He  added  a  number  of  members  to 
this  congregation  by  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer  :  but  in 
the  fall  of  1875  he  closed  his  labors  in  this  field  and  removed  to 
Ohio.     As  before  there  was  a  vacancy  of  several  months. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1876,  Rev.  David  Earhart,  then  of 
I,evansville,  Somerset  county,  became  pastor  of  the  Donegal  par- 
ish, and  he  served  it  for  six  years.  He  conducted  serviecsin  this 
church  every  two  weeks,  as  his  predecessors  had  done,  and  ad- 
ministered the  Holy  Communion  twdce  a  year,  and  performed  all 
ministerial  acts  and  pastoral  duties  required  of  a  Christian  min- 
ister. His  work  was  crowned  with  success;  but  on  the  ist  of 
July,  1882,  he  resigned  and  closed  his  pastorate  in  this  field  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  Crooked  Creek  parish  in  Armstrong 
count}',  which  he  had  served  many  3^ears  before. 

A  very  long  vacancy  followed  the  resignation  of  Rev.  D. 
Earhart,  during  which  time  the  parish  was  only  partly  supplied. 
On  the  22nd  of  July,  1883,  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  conducted  services 
and  administered  the  Holy  Communion,  and  on  the  2nd  of  De- 
cember of  the  same  year,  Rev.  J.  W.  Myers  administered  the 
communion. 


SOUTHERN    CONFERENfiE.  241 

During  the  year  1884  Rev.  J.  P.  Hentz  had  charge  of  this 
church  as  stated  supply,  and  Messrs.  Angstadt  and  Mayne,  stu- 
dent.-, of  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  assisted  him  and  rendered 
valuable  services. 

In  the  spring  of  1885  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum  was  called 
and  became  pnstor  of  this  parish.  He  held  his  first  communion 
service  in  St.  Paul's  church  on  the  21st  of  June  when  only  22 
persons  were  present.  Thus  we  observe  the  damaging  effects  of 
the  long  and  trying  vacancy  that  followed  the  resignation  of 
Rev.  Earhart. 

The  services  of  Rev.  Rosenbaum  were  quite  acceptable 
and  successful  in  this  congregation.  He  added  a  number  of 
members  to  the  church,  but  his  pastorate  was  too  short  to  make 
much  progress  in  the  permanent  upbuilding  of  the  congregation. 
He  did  a  good  work,  however,  in  remodeling  the  church,  which 
was  successfully  accomplished  under  his  oversight  and  direction, 
at  a  cost  of  $900.00. 

A  great  change  was  made  on  the  old  church.  A  recess  was 
built  in  the  rear ;  a  tower  in  the  front,  through  which  is  the 
entrance  into  the  auditorium.  The  windows  were  changed 
from  square  to  gothic  style  and  finer  glass  put  in.  and  such  im- 
provements were  made  on  the  entire  building  that  it  presented 
the  appearance  of  a  new  church.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  5th  of 
June,  1887,  with  appropriate  services.  The  pastor  was  assisted 
on  this  interesting  occasion  by  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzman,  D.  D.,  of 
Greensburg.  In  1888  Rev.  Rosenbaum  resigned  and  Rev.  Samuel 
Stouffer  became  his  successor,  and  he  was  pastor  for  six 
years  ministering  to  this  congregation  regularly  on  every 
alternate  Sunday  as  his  predecssor  had  done.  The  mem- 
bership increasd  under  his  ministry,  and  the  affairs  of  the 
church  seemed  to  be  going  smooth' y,  but  a  difficulty  arose 
between  a  few  of  the  members,  which,  for  a  time,  seriously  af- 
fect'?d  the  peace  of  the  congregation.  It  seemed  at  one  time  as 
if  the  harmony  and  usefulness  of  St.  Paul's  were  utterly  des- 
troyed by  the  war  of  tongues  ;  but  by  the  mercy  of  God  it  has 
been  preserved  and  is  now  enjoying  peace  and  prosperity. 

Ontheistof  March,  1894.  Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer  resigned 


242  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  DONEGAL  TWP. 

and  accepted  a  call  from  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  couiUy,  and  on 
the  ist  of  June  Rev.  J.  H.  KHne  of  Scottdale,  became  his  suc- 
cessor. He  did  faithful  work  during  the  short  time  that  he  was 
able  to  serve  as  pastor,  but  on  account  of  failing  health  was 
compelled  to  give  up  the  work  of  the  ministry.  After  the  res- 
ignation of  Rev.  Kline  there  was  a  vacancy  of  a  few  months, 
during  which  time  Mr.  E.  M.  Potts,  of  Mt.  Airy  Seminary, 
Philadelphia,  served  as  supply. 

In  November,  1895,  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord  was  called  and  be- 
came pastor  of  this  parish  and  served  it  for  two  years.  He  min- 
istered to  this  congregation  with  earnestness  and  fidelity,  preach- 
ing the  word  and  administering  the  holy  sacrament  regularly. 
The  people  highly  esteemed  him  and  gave  him  up  with  much  re- 
luctance when  he  resigned  on  the  ist  of  January,  1898,  to  accept 
a  call  from  Bridge  water  parish.  Nova  Scotia,  to  which  rew 
field  he   removed   immediately. 

Soon  after  his  resignation  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael  was  called, 
and  became  his  successor,  on  the  ist  of  Februar)\  He  served 
St.  Paul's  church  very  acceptably  and  successfully.  He  con- 
ducted services  on  everj'  alternate  Sunday. 

In  the  autumn  of  1900,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Home 
Mission  Board  of  the  General  Council  to  a  Mission  church 
in  Duluth,  Minnesota,  which,  after  due  and  prayerful  considera- 
tion, he  accepted  and  removed  to  his  new  field  on  the  ist  of 
March,  1901,  to  the  great  regret  of  this  congregation.  This 
pari.sh  was  vacant  till  the  following  August,  during  which  time 
Rev.  Jesse  Dunn  of  Pleasant  Unity,  served  it  quite  acceptabh- 
as  temporary  pastor. 

On  the  second  Sunday  in  August,  Rev.  Joseph  O.  Glenn,  of 
Mount  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  was  elected  pastor  and  ac- 
cepted the  call  immediately.  He  was  installed  on  the  17th  of 
November  by  Rev,  Jesse  Dunn.  He  has  commenced  his  min- 
istry under  very  fair  auspices  and  there  is  a  good  outlook  for  the 
future  of  this  congregation.  It  now  has  a  communicant  mem- 
bership of  some  53  effective  members. 

This  congregation  is  now  50  years  old,  and  has  quite  re- 
cently celebrated  its  Fiftieth  anniversary.     The  Jubilee  meeting 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE  243 

commenced  on  the  20th  of  March,  1902,  and  the  services  were 
continued  during  Passion  Week,  including  Palm  Sunday,  and 
all  were  well  attended  by  the  congregation.  Rev.  W.  F. 
Ulery  of  Greensburg,  and  Rev.  Frank  S.  Beistel  of  Jeannette, 
assisted  the  pastor,  Rev.  Joseph  O.  Glenn,  on  this  interesting 
occasion.  Rev.  Ulery  made  the  Historical  address  on  Thursday 
forenoon,  and  Rev.  Beistel  the  Jubilee  address.  The  latter  also 
delivered  a  discourse  in  the  evening.  Rev.  Ulery  assisted  the 
pastor  during  the  rest  of  the  week,  and  including  the  next 
Sunday. 

There  have  been  great  changes  in  this  congregation  during 
these  50  years.  All  the  members  who  took  part  in  its  organiza- 
tion are  dead  except  two — Mr.  H.  Miller  and  Mrs.  Alex.  Craw- 
ford. Only  one  of  these,  Mrs.  Crawford,  could  be  present  at  these 
Jubilee  services.  Four  of  the  older  pastors  who  served  here  are 
dead,  viz  :  Revs.  Focht,  Welfly,  Gaumer  and  Fink.  Many  mem. 
bers  who  were  received  here  have  removed  to  other  places,  but 
many  more  have  gone  to  eternity.  At  least  three  times  as  many 
have  died  and  removed  as  are  at  present  in  the  congregation. 
There  is  a  cemetery  alongside  of  the  church  where  many  of  the 
fathers  and  mothers,  as  well  as  the  founders  of  the  church,  now 
sleep  in  the  grave. 

According  to  the  parochial  reports,  as  gi\en  in  the  minutes 
of  synod,  the  following  ministerial  acts  were  performed  by  the 
several  pastors  :  Rev.  J.  R.  Focht  baptized  ten  children,  con- 
firmed 12  adults,  and  reported  a  membership  of  40;  Rev.  Geo. 
Gaumer  performed  27  baptisms,  added  29  by  the  rite  of  confir- 
mation, and  had  a  membership  of  55  at  the  close  of  his  pasto- 
rate. The  reports  of  Revs.  Welfly  and  Earhart  are  for  the 
whole  parish.  Rev.  John  Welfly  baptized  98  children,  confirmep 
1 1 2  adults,  and  reported  a  membership  of  60 ;  Rev.  David  Ear- 
hart  baptized  81  children,  added  150  to  the  communicant  mem- 
bership;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum  baptized  21  children,  confirmed 
13  adults,  and  had  a  loss  of  three  by  death ;  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline 
baptized  nine  children,  confirmed  six  adults,  and  reported  a  mem- 
bership of  59  ;  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord  baptized  four  children  and  con- 
firmed four  adults ;  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael  baptized  nine  children, 


244  ST.     PAUI^'S  CHUKCH,    DONEGAL  TWP. 

confirmed   19  adults,  had   a   loss  of    four  by  death,  and  left   a 
membership  of  60. 

St.  Paul's  has  a  good  Sunday  School,  which  has  been  kept 
up  all  these  years  by  a  few  faithful  members.  The  school  has 
now  48  scholars  in  regular  attendance,  with  five  teachers  and  a 
st;aff  of  officers. 

The  present  Church  Council  are:  William  Beistel  and  John 
Snyder,  elders ;  Frank  B.  Lenhart,  Adam  Barnhart  and  Richard 
Snyder,  deacons ;  William  S.  Beistel,  Alexander  Ross  and  Q. 
Myers,  trustees  ;  Rev.  Jos.  O.  Glenn,  pastor  and  president. 

Following  is  the  list  of  pastors :  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Focht  from 
organization  til!  September,  1853  >  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Wynn,  D.  D., 
Feb.,  1854  to  Sept.,  1855;  Rev.  Geo.  Gaumer,  April,  i855  to 
April,  1868  ;  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  supply  in  1868;  Rev.  JohnWelfly, 
Jan.,  1869  to  April,  1875;  Rev.  David  Earhart,  July,  1876  to 
July,  T882  ;  Revs.  J.  P.  Hentz,  Angstadt  and  Wayne,  1882  to 
1885  ;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  June,  1885  to  1888  ;  Rev.  Samuel 
Stouffer,  Sept.,  1888  to  April  1894;  Rev.  J.  H.  Khne,  June,  1894 
to  April,  1895;  Rev.  J.  A.  Boord,  Nov.,  1895  to  Jan.,  1898  ; 
Rev.  D.  W.  Michael,  Feb.,  1898  to  Feb.,  1901  ;  Rev.  Joseph  O. 
Glenn,    1891   to  the  present. 


XXIII.      ST.    JOHN'S   EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 

CHURCH,    SPRINGHILL  TWP.,    FAYETTE 

COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

In  1852,  Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn,  pastor  of  Jacob's  church  Fay- 
ette county,  began  to  hold  services  at  Morris  Cross  Roads,  in 
Springhill  township.  These  services  were  for  the  benefit  of  a 
few  Lutheran  families,  most  of  whom  were  members  of  Jacob's 
congregation.     In  the  course  of  the  next  year,  a  real  interest 


SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE.  245 

having  been  awakened  among  these  people,  a  proposition  was 
made  to  build  a  church  for  the  use  of  the  Lutherans  of  that  com- 
munity. 

The  pastor  and  the  council  of  Jacob's  church  heartily  ap- 
proved of  this  undertaking,  and,  in  a  large  measure,  became  re- 
sponsible for  its  success,  as  we  have  already  noted  in  the  history 
of  that  congregation.  The  Lutheran  people  of  Springhill  town- 
ship cheerfully  co-operated  with  them  in  this  work.  A  subscrip- 
tion was  started,  a  site  for  the  church  was  secured,  and  a  plan* 
adopted. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1854,  the  work  of  building  was  begun, 
and,  a  little  later,  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  The  work  on  the 
building  was  pushed  so  vigorously  that  in  August,  1854,  the 
church  was  completed,  and  on  the  27th  of  the  same  month,  it 
was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  Emanuel  Greena- 
walt,  D.  D.,  then  of  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  Rev.  W.  S.  Emery  of 
West  Newton,  Pa.,  were  present  on  this  interesting  occasion 
and  assisted  the  pastor  at  the  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Greenawalt 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon,  and  Rev.  Emery  assisted  in  the 
consecration  services. 

The  church  is  a  plain  brick  building,  36x50  feet  in  size, 
plainly  finished  and  modestly  furnished  at  a  cost  of  $r, 200.  It 
was,  however,  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  people  of  that 
time,  and  is  still  a  comfortable  house  of  worship. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1856,  a  congregation  was  organized 
with  20  members,  most  of  whom  had  been  dismissed  from  Jacob's 
church.  At  first  only  two  officers  were  elected,  one  elder  and 
one  deacon.  Michael  Crow  was  elected  the  first  elder,  and  M. 
B.  Baker  the  first  deacon.  They  were  re-elected  annually  for 
three  years. 

In  September,  1856,  the  congregation  was  incorporated  as 
Saint  John's  church,  and  in  1859,  a  constitution  was  adopted  for 
the  government  of  the  congregation.  The  first  full  church 
council  was  elected  under  this  constitution  on  June  nth,  1859. 
M.  B.  Baker  and  Conrad  A.  Emery  being  elected  elders  ;  Jos. 
Bowers,  George  Baker  and  Joseph  Lyons,  deacons. 

Rev.  Melhorn  did  earnest  and  faithful  work  in  this  field. 


246  ST.    JOHN'S    CHURCH,    FAYETTE    COUNTY. 

He  conducted  services  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and  performed 
ail  necessary  ministerial  acts  and  pastoral  duties.  When  he  re- 
signed in  June,  1895,  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Freeport  parish, 
he  made  the  following  report :  Had  30  infant  baptisms;  added 
56  by  rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer;  lost  17 
through  death  and  removal,  and  had  a  communicant  membership 
of  61.  Soon  after  Rev.  Melhorn's  resignation,  Rev.  H. 
Acker  of.  the  English  Synod  of  Ohio,  became  pastor  of  the 
Fayette  county  parish.  He  conducted  services  in  this  church 
on  every  alternate  Sunday,  and  administered  the  communion 
twice  a  year. 

He  was  a  conscientious  man  and  a  faithful  minister.  He 
added  a  number  of  persons  to  the  church  by  baptism  and  con- 
firmation ;  but,  owing  to  the  many  removals,  he  was  not  able  to 
keep  up  the  membership  to  the  mark  it  had  reached  under  his 
predecessor. 

Rev.  Acker  resigned  in  January,  1873,  to  accept  a  call  from 
a  parish  in  the  Synod  of  Illinois,  and  in  the  following  May,  Rev. 
W.  O.  Wilson  became  pastor  of  the  Favette  county  parish.  He 
served  Saint  John's  church  in  an  acceptable  manner,  conducting 
services  twice  a  month  and  holding  two  communion  services 
during  each  year.  He  gave  regular  catechetical  instructions  at 
such  times  as  were  deemed  necessary,  and  confirmed  a  number 
of  young  people,  and  added  others  by  letters  of  transfer. 

In  1S81  a  move  was  made  to  establish  a  cemetery  under  the 
control  of  Saint  John's  church.  Five  acres  of  ground  were  pur- 
chased for  this  purpose  from  Mr.  J.  A.  Lyons,  the  consideration 
being  $600.  The  property  was  fenced,  surveyed,  and  laid  out 
in  lots.  The  charter  of  the  church  was  amended  and  so  changed 
as  to  authorize  and  empower  the  congregation  to  organize  a 
cemetery  and  manage  it  through  its  ofi5cers. 

In  dun  time  this  ground,  with  all  that  pertains  thereto,  was 
solemly  set  apart  with  appropriate  services  as  a  Christian  burial 
place.  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  assisted  Rev.  Wilson  at  these  ser- 
vices. The  organization  was  perfected  in  the  election  of  officers 
and  the  cemetery  was  declared  open  for  the  use  of  Saint  John's 
congregation  and  all  other  persons  who  desired  to  purchase  lots. 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  247 

In    the   years    that  have    passed  since,    prominent  citizens    of^ 
Springhill  township,  especially  among  the  members  of  St.  John's, 
have  been  interred  in  this  burj'ing  gronnd. 

In  May,  1885.  Rev.  W.O.  Wilson  D.  D..  resigned  the  Fayette 
county  parish,  after  a  pastorate  of  12  years.  He  spent  a  few 
months  in  mission  work  on  the  Western  frontier,  but  in  the 
spring  of  1886,  after  his  return  to  Pennsylvania,  he  accepted  a 
call  from  St.  John's  church  and  served  it  until  1892,  when  he 
resigned  to  take  up  other  work.  He,  however,  rendered  ser- 
vices quite  frequently'  during  the  long  vacancy  that  followed  his 
resignation. 

In  June,  1897,  Mr.  C.  E.  Dozer  of  Mt.  Airy  Seminary, 
Philadelphia,  supplied  St.  John's  in  connection  with  Cheat 
Haven  Mission,  which  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson  had  organized  in  1894. 
Mr.  Dozer  served  for  three  months.  During  the  time  he  had 
charge  a  resolution  was  adopted  looking  to  the  union  of  St, 
John's  and  Cheat  Haven  Mission  as  one  congregation,  but  this 
action  was  afterwards  rescinded.  This  latter  action  was  the 
cause  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  members  of  St.  John's  living  in 
and  near  Cheat  Haven,  and  led  to  their  uniting  with  Trinity 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  that  place. 

On  the  19th  of  September,  1897,  Rev.  Ira  M.  Wallace  took 
charge  of  St.  John's  in  connection  with  the  Morgantown 
Mission,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed,  and  served 
this  field  on  every  alternate  Sunday  till  July,  1900.  Dur- 
ing his  short  pastorate  he  did  faithful  work.  A  new  con- 
stitution was  adopted  and  the  Church  Council  elected  and  organ- 
ized under  it.  After  his  resignation  there  was  a  vacancy  which 
was  only  partially  supplied. 

Since  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  in  1901,  Rev.  J. 
K.  Melhorn  has  taken  charge  of  this  church  as  temporary  pnstor 
and  has  served  it  regularly  every  two  weeks. 

The  Sunday  School  has  60  scholars  and  eight  teachers,  and 
is  doing  very  good  work.  The  present  officers  are  :  Rev.  J.  K. 
Melhorn,  superintendent ;  Joseph  M.  Bpker,  assistant ;  Jesse  H. 
Baker,  treasurer  ;  Ire'ne  Emery,  secretary,  and  Frank  M.  Baker, 
assistant  secretary. 


248  ST.  John's  church,  fayette  county. 

The  present  Church  Council  are  :  Andrew  J.  Emery,  Joseph 
M.  Baker,  James  R.  Rotharmel  and  Frank  H.  Baker,  deacons  ; 
George  W.  Lyons,  James  P.  Baker  and  Jesse  H.  Baker,  trustees; 
Rev.  J.   K.  Melhorn,  pastor. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  pastors  and  their  time  of  ser- 
vice :  Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn  from  the  organization  till  1865  ;  Rev. 
Henry  Acker,  i865toJan.,  1873;  Rev.W.  O.Vv'ilson,  D.  D.,  1873- 
1885;  avacancy;  Rev. W.O.Wilson,  1886  to  1892;  a  long  vacancy 
partially  supplied;  Rev.  Ira  M.  Wallace,  Sept.,  1897  to  July 
1900;  a  vacanc}^ ;  Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn,  1900  to  this  date. 


XXIV.     THE  FENNELTON  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 

CHURCH,  SALEM  TOWNSHIP,  WESTMORE- 

Lx\ND  COUNTY  PENNA. 

Services  were  first  held  by  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter,  early  in  1859, 
in  a  school  house,  near  where  the  church  now  stands.  Rev.  R. 
P.  Thomas,  of  the  Reformed  church,  had  begun  to  hold  services 
some  months  earlier. 

In  the  summer  of  1859,  active  measures  were  taken,  on  the 
part  of  the  Reformed  people  to  build  a  church.  It  was  the  in- 
tention of  Rev.  Thomas  to  build  a  Reformed  church  ;  but  when 
he  commenced  the  work  he  found  that  he  could  not  raise  the 
money  necessary  without  the  aid  of  the  Lutherans.  They  re- 
fused to  contribute  any  money  to  the  building  of  the  church  un- 
less they  would  have  equal  rights  in  it  with  the  Reformed. 
Therefore  it  was  made  a  union  church  and  the  Lutherans  agreed 
to  pay  half  the  money  necessary  to  build  it. 

A  piece  of  ground  was  secured  from  Mr.  David  Shields,  as 
a  site  for  a  church  and  a  burying  place.  A  joint  committee  was 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  work,  a  plan  for  a  church  was 


JOHN     WKLFLKY. 


I).\NIKL    (4AKVER. 


.loiix    Rr(;\>;. 


,I()II.\     W.     MVKKS. 


G.     L      L)11.MA.\.\. 


norK-lH']'F,MANN"S-CII|-|;CH. 


SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE.  249 

adopted,  money  collected  and  the  contract  for  the  building  was 
given  out. 

In  August,  1859,  the  corner  stone  was  laid  by  Revs.  Yetter 
and  Thomas,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  N.  P.  Hacke,  D.  D.,  ot  the 
Reformed  church.  The  work  of  building  was  carried  on  suc- 
cessfully, and  by  the  end  of  the  year  the  church  was  completed 
and  on  the  27th  of  February,  i860,  it  was  dedicated  to  the  wor- 
ship of  God.  Rev.  C.  C.  Russel,  of  the  Reformed  church,  as- 
sisted Revs  Yetter  and  Thomas  at  these  services.  The  church 
is  a  plain  frame  building,  32x45  feet  in  size,  has  a  seating  capac- 
ity for  250  persons,  and  cost  about  $1.0  30. 

Immediately  after  the  consecration  of  the  church,  Rev.  Yet- 
ter organized  a  congregation  with  23  members,  under  the  title  of 
the  '  'Fennel ton  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. ' '  It  became  part  of 
the  St.  James  and  Salem  parish  and  was  served  by  its  pastors  till 
that  parish  was  readjusted  in  1876. 

Rev.  Yetter  ministered  to  this  congregation  from  the  time 
of  its  organization  till  1866,  when  he  resigned.  He  held  services 
on  every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon  and  administered  the  Holy 
Communion  twice  a  year.  He  added  20  communicant  members, 
had  a  loss  of  six  by  death,  and  had  an  effective  membership  of 
37.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  autumn  of  1866,  by  Rev.  J.  D. 
English,  who  served  this  congregation  during  the  time  of  the 
heated  doctrinal  discussion  and  inquiry. 

The  leading  members  of  Fennelton  church  were  intelligent 
and  well  informed  on  doctrinal  questions,  and  were  therefore 
loyal  to  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  Rev.  English  ministered  to  these 
people  for  about  two  years.  He  added  several  members  by  the 
rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer,  leaving  the  member- 
ship the  same  in  number  as  it  was  when  he  became  pastor. 

He  resigned  in  July,  1868.  In  October  of  the  same  year 
he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  who  served  the 
congregation  for  eight  years,  and  rendered  acceptable  service. 
He  baptized  eleven  children,  instructed  several  classes  of  cate- 
chumens, confirmed  28  j^oung  persons  and  added  others  to 
the  membership  by  letters  of  transfer.  At  the  close  of  his  pas- 
torate, in  1876,  he  had  a  membership  of  60. 


250  FENNELTON   CHURCH,    SALEM    TOWNSHIP. 

Fennelton  church  now  became  a  part  of  the  Saltsburg  and 
St,  James  parish,  and  in  September,  1876,  Rev.  John  Y.  Marks 
became  pastor  and  served  it  for  about  two  years.  In  1878,  he 
resigned  the  Saltsburg  congregation  and  Rev.  J.  D.  Roth  of 
Salem,  became  temporary  pastor. 

On  the  2nd  of  September,  1879,  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmer- 
man was  called  as  pastor  of  the  Saltsburg  and  St.  James  parish 
and  was  installed  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month  by  Rev.  J. 
Sarver,  of  Leechburg,  Pa.  He  served  this  congregation  reg- 
ularly on  every  alternate  Sunday  for  five  years.  At  the  close  of 
his  pastorate  he  reported  five  infant  baptisms,  four  additions  to 
the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  ; 
several  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  an  effective  membership  of 
58.  He  resigned  on  the  ist  of  June,  1884,  to  accept  a  call  from 
a  Mission  church  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Soon  after  his  resigna- 
tion Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerei  became  his  successor.  He  conducted 
services  regularly  on  every  other  Sunday  in  this  church.  He 
continued  his  work  here  till  October,  1887,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed Missionary  President  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He 
reported  12  infant  baptisms,  five  additions  by  confirmation  and 
letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of  seven  by  death,  four  by  removal  and 
a  communicant  membership  of  52. 

On  the  ist  of  February,  1888,  Rev.  W.  G.  Hudson  was 
elected  pastor  of  this  parish  and  served  it  acceptably  for  a 
period  of  eight  years  and  a  half.  He  held  services  regularly 
on  every  Sunda7.  During  his  pastorate  several  important 
changes   occurred. 

In  1895  the  union  between  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed 
churches  at  Fennelton  was  dissolved.  The  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion purchased  the  interest  of  the  Reformed,  and  the  Reformed 
built  a  church  for  themselves. 

In  1896  the  parish  was  readjusted  ;  St.  James,  Bell  town- 
ship, and  St.  Andrews,  Avonmore,  were  constituted  a  parish. 
Saltsburg  and  Fennelton  formed  another,  of  which  Rev.  W.  G. 
Hudson  continued  to  be  the  pastor.  Since  this  change  was  made 
Fennelton  church  has  had  more  services  than  were  possible  under 
the  former  arrangement.     During  six  months  and  a  half,  from 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  t^I 

the  middle  of  April  till  the  ist  of  November  services  were  held 
on  every  Sunday. 

On  October  ist,  1896,  Rev.  W.  G.  Hudson  resigned  this 
parish  to  accept  a  call  from  Catasaqua,  Pa.  He  made  the  follow- 
ing report  of  his  parochial  items  in  this  congregation  ;  He  bap- 
tized 31  infants,  confirmed  22  adults,  and  added  12  by  letters  of 
transfer;  he  had  a  loss  of  nine  by  death,  and  15  by  removal, 
leaving  an  effective  membership  of  46. 

Immediately  after  his  ordination,  in  1897,  Rev.  W.  E.  Bauer 
became  pastor  of  the  Saltsburg  and  Fennelton  parish  and  served 
it  over  four  years.  He  held  services  in  this  church  on  every 
Sunday  during  the  summer,  and  on  every  alternate  Sunday 
during  the  winter.  He  rendered  acceptable  service.  He  not 
only  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people,  but  also  made 
valuable  accessions  to  its  membership.  He  baptized  13  children, 
confirmed  16  adults,  added  four  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  re- 
ported a  membership  of  61.  On  the  ist  of  April,  1902,  Rev.W. 
E.  Bauer  resigned  the  Saltsburg  and  Fennelton  parish  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  Trinity  chucrh,  Braddock.  Pa. 

This  congregation  is  now  42  years  old.  It  has  had  eight 
pastors  since  its  organization.  The  membership  has  fluctuated 
somewaat,  owing  to  several  causes — a  number  of  the  old  leading 
members  have  died,  and  some  of  the  younger  people  have  emi- 
grated. It  has  as  many  members  now  as  it  ever  had  in  its  his- 
tory. It  has  no  working  societies,  and  its  Sunday  School  is  con- 
ducted only  during  the  summer. 

The  following  named  person  are  the  present  Church  Council: 
Andrew  Fennel,  elder ;  D.  M.  Fennel,  D.  Chambers  Cline,  and 
D.  M.   Fennel,  deacons. 

List  of  pastors:  Rev.  Aaron  Yetter,  i860  to  April,  1866; 
Rev.  J.  D.  English,  Sept.,  1866  to  July  1868;  Rev.  V.  B. 
Christy,  Oct.,  1868  to  April  1876  ;  Rev.  John  Y.  Marks,  1876  to 
1878;  Rev.  J.  D.  Roth,  temporary  pastor,  1878  to  1879;  Rev.R.  M. 
Zimmerman,  Sept.,  1879  to  June  1884;  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer, 
June,  1884  to  Oct.,  1887;  Rev.  W.  G.  Hudson,  Jan.,  1888  to 
Oct.,   1896;    Rev.  W.  E.  Bauer,  June,  1897  to  April,   1902. 


252  FENNELTON   CHURCH,    SALEM   TOWNSHIP. 


XXV.     SAINT  JAMES  EVANGELICAI.  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  ALTOONA,  PENNA. 

In  i860  Rev.  Henry  Seifert,  of  the  Allegheny  Synod  be- 
gan to  hold  German  services  in  this  city.  After  continuing 
these  services  for  several  months  he  organized  a  congregation 
then  gave  up  the  field  to  Rev.  John  Schmidt  who  became  the 
regular  pastor. 

In  1861  a  lot,  50x100  feet  in  size,  located  on  the  corner  of 
8th  and  f4th  streets,  was  purchased,  on  which  a  plain  frame 
church  was  built  during  this  year  and  the  work  of  building  up 
the  congregation  made  encouraging  progress. 

In  1863  Rev.  John  Schmidt  resigned,  and  early  in  1864 
Rev.  Michael  Wolf  was  called.  During  this  year  another  lot, 
50x100  feet  in  size,  situated  alongside  of  the  church,  was  pur- 
chased on  which  a  house  was  built  that  has  been  occupied  ever 
since  by  the  pastor  as  a  parsonage.  The  services  of  Rev.  Wolf 
were  quite  acceptable,  and  he  was  successful  in  building  up  the 
congregation. 

In  1868  the  pastor  and  the  congregation  were,  at  their  re- 
quest, received  into  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  the  congregrtion 
has  been  loyal  to  this  synod  ever  since.  In  1875  Rev.  Michael 
Wolf  resigned  this  church  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Ministerium  of  New  York.  He  made  the 
following  parochial  report  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate : 
176  infant  baptisms,  63  confirmations,  five  deaths  and  four 
removals. 

In  July,  1875,  Rev.  Charles  Jaeckel  became  pastor  of  this 
parish  and  served  it  acceptably  for  six  years,  making  large  ac- 
cessions to  the  membership. 

In  1881  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  German 
Lutheran  church,  New  Castle,  Pa.  He  has  made  the  following 
report :  Performed  192  baptisms  ;  received  66  persons  into 
iwW  membership  by  the  rite  [of  confirmation ;  67  by  letters  of 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  253 

transfer ;  had  five  deaths  and  four  removals,  and  a  communi- 
cant membership  of  300. 

In  the  summer  of  1881,  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke  became  the 
successor  of  Rev.  Jaeckel  and  was  installed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wenzel 
on  the  i8th  of  December.  He  was  pastor  of  this  church  for  ten 
years  and  was  very  successful  in  his  work.  Early  in  1888  the 
congregation  concluded  to  build  a  new  church.  The  old  church 
wai  torn  down,  plans  were  secured  for  a  new  church,  subscrip- 
tions solicited  and  the  contract  let.  On  the  4th  of  August  1888 
the  corner-stone  of  the  present  fine  brick  church  was  laid,  Rev. 
Leracke,  the  pastor,  being  assisted  on  this  interesting  occasion  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Wenzel  and  Dr.  Passavant  of  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

The  work  of  building  was  carried  on  successfully  and  by  the 
I  St  of  September,  1889,  the  church  was  completed  and  on  the 
ist  of  the  same  month  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God 
with  appropriate  services.  Rev.  J.  C.  Kunzman  and  Rev.  W.  A. 
Passavant,  D.  D. ,  assisted  the  pastor  at  these  services.  The 
former  preached  in  German  and  the  latter  in  English,  and  the 
pastor  performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  large  brick  building,  60x80  feet  in  size 
gothic  in  style,  neatly  finished  and  furnished  and  churchly  in 
its  appointments.  It  cost  over  $25,000  and  a  debt  rested  on  it 
for  a  number  of  years.  Rev.  Lemcke  continued  his  labors  in 
this  congregation  till  1891  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call 
from  Grace  church,  Franklin,  Pa.  He  reported  476  infant  bap- 
tisms, 165  confirmations,  and  392  additions  by  letters  of  transfer. 
A  loss  of  268  by  death  and  removal  and  a  membership  of  560. 

Early  in  1892  Rev.  John  Mueller  became  pastor  of  this  con- 
gregation and  served  it  quite  successfully  till  1897  when  he  re- 
signed and  returned  to  his  native  land,  Russia,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. He  made  the  following  report  concerning  the  membership: 
Baptized  327  children,  confirmed  172  adults,  added  141  to  the 
membership  by  letters  of  transfer  and  had  a  loss  of  152  by  death 
and  removal,  a  net  gain  of  160. 

In  1898  Rev.  C.  L.  Boecele  became  pastor  ofj  this  congrega- 
tion and  has  rendered  faithful  services,  which  have  been  crowned 
with  good  .success.     He  has  reported   114  infant  baptisms,    loi 


254  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

confirmations,  and  73  additions  to  the  membership  by  letter  of 
transfer  and  a  loss  of  78  by  death  and  removal.  He  reported 
140  families  connected  with  the  congregation  which  indicates  a 
membership  of  about  600. 

The  congregation  is  now  42  years  old  and  has  had  quite  a 
prosperous  career.  It  began  with  a  few  families,  most  of  whom 
were  in  humble  circumstances.  When  the  congregation  united 
with  the  Pittsburg  Synod  it  nunbsred  only  about  one  hundred 
members. 

When  Rev.  Wolf  resig.ieil,  in  175,  he  reported  220  members. 
Rev.  Jaeckel,  his  successor,  brought  the  membership  up  to  300 
and  Rev.  Lemcke  closed  his  pastorate  with   560.     Rev.   Mueller 
reported  only  430  though,  there  were  many  accessions  the  loss 
by  death  and  removal  was  correspondingly  great  during  several 
years  of  Rev.  Lemcke's  and  Rev.  Mueller's  pastorate. 

When  Rev.  Boecele  became  pastor  of  this  congregation  effec- 
tive measures  were  adopted  to  liquidate  the  debt  of  $12,000  still 
resting  on  the  church.  In  1891  a  sinking  fund  was  created 
which  proved  so  successful  that  on  the  ist  of  January,  1902  the 
whole  debt  was  cancelled.  There  was  also  spent  on  repairs  and 
in:provements  the  sum  of  $4,000  on  the  church.  A  fund  is  now 
being  created  to  build  a  new  parsonage;  $1,000  have  already 
been  paid  into  the  treasury,  and  it  is  hoped  that  by  the  end  of 
this  year  a  sum  will  have  been  raised  sufficient  to  enable  the 
trustees  to  erect  a  home  for  the  pastor. 

The  Saturday  parochial  shool  numbers  from  80  to  100  pupils 
of  which  the  pastor  is  the  teacher.  The  Sunday  School  is  in  a 
good  condition  ;  it  numbers  36  officers  and  teachers,  and  350 
scholars.  The  pastor  is  the  superintendent.  The  Missionary 
Society  was  organized  in  1897,  ^^'^  65  members,  and  is  doing 
good  work.  The  Young  Men's  Society  was  organized  in  1900, 
and  now  has  25  members.  The  Woman's  Working  Society  was 
organized  in  1896  with  30  members,  and  is  a  live  association. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1895.  The  Women's 
Society  to  look  after  the  sick,  was  organized  in  1887,  and  has 
been  a  useful  organization.  The  Men's  Aid  Society  has  also 
been  quite   helpful. 


ST.    JAMES'    CHURCH,    ALTOONA,    PA.  255 

The  following  persons  compose  the  Church  Council ;  Karl 
Lehmander,  Wm.  Nicola,  Henry  Kunzig,  Stephen  Adler,  Jacob 
Fuhrer,  Martin  Hauser,  John  A.  Hoffmann,  August  Noll,  Chris- 
tian Fautli,  Jacob  Weiss  ;  Conrad  Dingeldein,  treasurerj;  John 
Gieg,  secretary ;  Rev.  C.  L.  Boecele,  pastor  and  president. 

List  of  pastors;  Rev.  Henry  Seifert,  Missionary  in  i860; 
Rev.  John  Schmidt.  1860-1863  ;  Rev.  Michael  Wolf,  1864-1875  ; 
Rev.  Charles  Jaeckel,  1875-1881 ;  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke,  1881- 
1891  ;  Rev.  John  Mueller,  1892-1897  ;  Rev.  C.  L.  Boecele,  1897 
to  present  time. 


XXVII.     TRINITY   EVANGEIvICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  LATROBE.  PENN'A. 

Early  in  the  sixties  services  were  begun  in  Latrobe  by  Rev. 
Isaac  O.  P.  Baker,  of  Pleasant  Unity  ;  but  after  having  been 
held  for  a  short  time,  were  discontinued  because  Rev.  Baker  had 
too  large  a  field  for  his  strength,  but  in  November,  1862,  two 
Lutheran  members  made  an  earnest  appeal  to  Rev.  G.  W.  Mech- 
ling,  of  Greensburg,  Pa.,  then  pastor  of  the  Ligonier  parish,  to 
minister  to  the  destitute  Lutheran  people  in  Latrobe.  After 
conferring  with  them  about  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  Lu- 
therans in  this  town  and  vicinity  he  agreed  to  undertake  this  ad- 
ditional work.  Soon  afterwards  services  were  begun  in  the  old 
Seceder  church,  which  were  held  on  every  alternate  Sunday  and 
were  conducted  in  German  and  English.  They  were  continued 
for  several  years  with  increasing  interest.  The  Holy  Sacra- 
ments were  administered,  and  all  necessary  ministerial  acts  per- 
fonned.  A  desire  was  expressed  on  part  of  the  people  that  a 
congregation  be  organized.  In  1864  a  communion  was  held  by 
Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling  at  which  59  persons  were  present,   and  a 


256  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

provisional  organization  was  formed.  A  beginning  was  made  to 
build  a  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michael  Weiss  donated  a  lot  on 
Weldon  street,  on  which  the  first  church  was  built. 

Early  in  1855  a  building  committee  was  appointed  of  which 
Michael  Weiss  was  chairman,  subscriptions  were  solicited  and  a 
contract  for  the  building  was  let  to  D,  D.  Shirey.  A  congrega- 
tional meeting  was  held  about  the  ist  of  April,  1865,  at  which  a 
constitution  was  adopted  and  officers  were  elected,  and  the  or- 
ganization made  permanent.  Soon  after  this  Rev.  Mechling  re- 
signed the  Ligonier  parish  and  accepted  an  urgent  call  from  St. 
Peter's  church,  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  he  is  still  the  succeseful 
pastor. 

During  the  summer  of  1865  Rev.  Daniel  Worley  ministered 
to  the  Ligonier  parish,  and  also  had  temporary  charge  of  La- 
trobe.  He  rendered  valuable  service  to  this  congregation,  giving 
strength  and  permanence  to  the  work  which  Rev.  Mechling 
had  begun. 

On  the  6th  of  June  the  corner-stone  of  the  church  was  laid 
by  Rev.  Daniel  Worley,  assisted  by  neighboring  pastors,  with 
appropriate  services.  Rev.  Worley  looked  after  the  interests  and 
provided  for  the  needs  of  the  congregation  till  the  autumn  of  1865, 
when  Rev.  J.  H.  Smith  became  pastor  and  took  up  the  work  of 
building  where  his  predecessor  had  left  it.  By  the  close  of  the 
year  the  church  was  finished  and  was  dedicated  on  the  ist  of 
January  ,1866,  when  the  pastor  was  also  installed.  Revs.  Daniel 
Worley,  G.  W.  Mechling  and  G.  W.  Busby  assisted  the  pastor 
at  the  consecration  services. 

The  church  was  a  plain  brick  building,  ;^5X5o  feet  in  size, 
substantially  built,  plainly  finished  and  furnished  costing  about 
$3,000.  Rev.  Smith  continued  his  ministry  in  this  church  over 
nine  years.  He  conducted  services  regularly  every  two  weeks, 
and  held  communion  services  twice  a  year.  He  instructed  and 
confirmed  classes  of  catechumens  every  two  years.  There  was 
a  gradual  growth  in  the  membership  during  his  pascorate.  He 
baptized  42  children,  added  44  to  the  membership  by  the  rite  of 
confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer;  had  a  loss  of  12  by  death 
and  removal,  and   had    a   membership  of  70  at  the  close   of  his 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    LATROBE,    PA.  257 

pastorate.  Rev.  Smith  resigned  on  the  ist  of  October,   1893,  and 
accepted  a  call  from  Wadsworth  parish,  Ohio. 

There  was  a  vacancy  of  several  months  after  his  resigna- 
tion. In  the  winter  of  1875,  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts  was  elected  and 
became  pastor  on  the  21st  of  March.  He  served  this  congrega- 
tion quite  acceptably  ;  but  his  work  was  soon  interrupted  by  a 
most  serious  illness  which  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  labors 
for  the  time  being  to  the  great  regret  of  the  people,  as  well  as 
to  his  own  bitter  disappointment. 

He  resigned  on  the  ist  of  February,  1876,  making  a  pastor- 
ate of  only  about  ten  months.  His  resignation  was  followed  by 
a  long  vacancy.  On  the  ist  of  March,  1877,  Rev.  H.  L.  Mc- 
Murry  became  pastor.  He  ministered  faithfully  to  this 
congregation  for  five  years.  Like  his  predecessors  he  con- 
ducted services  in  this  church  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  He 
held  communion  twice  a  year  and  catechetical  instruction  and 
confirmation  once  in  two  years.  He  added  quite  a  number  by 
baptism  and  confirmation,  and  there  was  a  corresponding  in- 
crease in  the  communicant  membership  during  his  pastorate. 
He  resigned  on  the  ist  of  April,  1882,  and  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Lewisburg  parish,  Ohio. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1882,  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith  became  pastor  of 
this  parish  and  served  it  faithfully  for  nearly  ten  years.  He 
conducted  services  regularly  in  Trinity  church  twice  a  month 
and  held  communion  twice  a  year.  Catechetical  instruction 
was  held  biennially,  and  oftener  when  deemed  necessary. 
Besides  the  regular  services  and  pastoral  duties  much  other 
work  was  done,  and  important  changes  made  in  the  church  during 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Smith.  We  note  a  few  of  them.  The 
old  charter  having  been  found  defective,  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Court  to  have  it  revoked,  which,  after  considerable 
opposition  on  the  part  of  a  few  of  the  older  members,  was 
granted,  and  a  new  charter  was  issued  by  which  the  title  and 
rights  of  the  congregation  are  fully  established,  and  its  doctrinal 
position  is  clearly  set  forth.  It  also  was  admitted  into  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod.  Two  valuable  lots  were  purchased  on  Weldon  street, 
alongside  cf  the  church,  intended  as  a  site  for  a  church,  on  one  of 


258  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

which  the  handsome  new  church  now  stands,  and  on  the  other 
the  elegant  parsonage  has  been  built.  Man}'  valuable  additions 
were  made  to  the  membership  and  better  discipline  introduced. 

At  the  close  of  Rev.  Dr.»Smith's  pastorate  Trinity,  Latrohe, 
and  St.  James,  Youngstown,  were  constituted  a  parish.  Hi 
has  made  the  following  report  of  his  work:  Baptized  no 
children ;  added  87  to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite 
of  confirmation,  and  32  by  letters  of  transfer;  had  a  loss  of  57 
by  death  and  removal,  and  a  membership  of  224.  On  the  ist 
of  April,  1892,  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  Christ 
church,  East  End,  Pittsburg. 

On  the  ist  of  the  following  June  Rev.  I.  K.  Wisnier  became 
pastor  of  the  Latrobe  and  Youngstown  parish  and  served  it  ac- 
ceptably for  nine  years.  He  held  services  on  every  alternate  Sun- 
day morning  and  every  Sunday  evening  in  Trinity  church,  making 
three  times  as  many  services  as  were  held  under  the  former  pasto- 
rate. These  additional  services  have  brought  forth  good  results 
in  the  congregation.  There  has  been  encouraging  giowth,  both 
in  the  membership  and  in  the  financial  strength  since  this  change 
has  been  made.  When  he  took  charge  the  membership  was  224, 
and  in  1901  it  was  350. 

The  need  of  a  new  church,  suitable  to  the  wants  of  the  con- 
gregation, had  long  been  felt.  In  1897  a  beginning  was  made  to 
build,  and  the  work  was  carried  on  with  enthusiasm.  Every  one 
was  willing  to  do  what  he  could.  The  labor  required  to  exca- 
vate the  cellar  and  quarry  the  stones  for  the  foundation  was  all 
donated. 

The  following  persons  constituted  the  building  committee : 
Rev.  I.  K.  Wismer,  Henry  Bossart,  H.  G.  Kuhns,  H.  W.  Pebly, 
W.G.  Young,  J.  A.  Maier,  Frank  Weiss  andH.  W.  Baker.  The 
architects  and  builders  were  H.  W.  and  Ludwig  Baker. 

On  the  ist  of  August,  1897,  the  corner-stone  was  laid,  Revs. 
A.  ly.Yount,  D.  D.,  and  F.W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D. ,  assisted  the  pas- 
tor on  this  occasion.  On  March  13,  [898,  this  beautiful  house  of 
worship  was  solemly  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  the  Triune  God. 
Revs.  A.  Iv.  Yount,  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  Jesse 
Dunn,  H.  L-  McMurry  and  W.  F.  Ulery  were  present  and  assisted 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    LATROBE,    PA.  259 

the  pastor  ai  these  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Yount,  then  President  ot 
the  Pittsburg  Synod,  preached  the  dedication  sermon,  Rev.  Dr. 
Peschau  dehvered  a  German  discourse  and  Rev-  McMurry  made 
an  appeal  to  the  congregation. 

The  church  is  a  brick  building,  trimmed  with  sandstone.  It 
has  two  corner  towers  12  feet  square  and  93  feet  high,  through 
which  are  the  main  entrances  to  the  church.  It  is  built  along- 
side of  the  Sunday  School  room,  which  occupies  the  foundation 
and  utilizes  the  walls  of  the  old  church ;  is  35x50  feet  in  size, 
and  can  be  made  a  part  of  the  auditorium  when  the  occasion 
requires.  The  inside  finish  and  furnishing  are  in  good  taste 
and  make  a  pleasing  impression.  The  pews  and  furniture  are  of 
quartered  oak  ;  the  windows  are  gothic  in  design,  of  fine  cathe- 
dral glass  and  were  all  donated.  The  altar,  pulpit  and  lecturn 
are  all  handsome  and  placedin  churchly  order.  The  seating  ca- 
pacity is  500,  and  the  entire  cost  upward  of  $12,000,  all  of  which 
has  been  paid.  The  pastor  and  congregation  are  to  be  congratu- 
lated on  the  eminent  success  that  has  crowned  their  efforts  in 
this  important  undertaking,  and  all  deserve  great  credit  for  their 
fidelity  and    liberality. 

During  the  summer  of  1899,  a  commodious  pastor's  home 
was  built  under  the  oversight  of  the  pastor  and  church  council. 
It  is  a  neat  brick- veneered  house  and  has  all  the  conveniences  of 
a  well  planned  modern  home.     It  cost  $3,000. 

Thirty-eight  years  ago  there  was  neither  a  Lutheran  congre- 
gation nor  church  in  Latrobe.  Now  there  is  a  fine  church  and 
parsonage  and  a  self-sustaining  congregation  of  350  members. 

Trinity  church,  like  St.  James,  has  always  been  in  a  parish 
with  one  or  more  congregations,  but  now,  at  its  own  request,  it 
has  been  constituted  a  separate  parish.  Since  January,  1902, 
Rev.  Wismer  has  devoted  all  his  time  and  service  to  this  con- 
gregation. Its  working  societies  indicate  that  it  is  alive  and 
active.  It  has  had  a  Sunday  School  almost  since  its  existence, 
which  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition,  numbering  225  scholars 
and  22  teachers  and  officers.  It  is  organized  on  the  plan  of 
Graded  Lessons,  and  uses  the  literature  of  the  General  Council 
Publication  Board.     It  has  contributed  to  the  several  objects  of 


26o  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

benevolence  from  time  to  time,  but  during  the  building  of 
the  church  it  contributed  $486.00  to  the  building  fund.  Its 
present  officers  are  :  H.  W.  Pebly,  superintendent ;  L.  W.  Lohr, 
assistant  superintendent ;  A.  H.  Young,  secretary  ;  Miss  Bertha 
Walters,  assistant  secretary ;  }I.  W.  Baker,  treasurer,  and 
I^awrence  Walters  and  Louisa  Weber,  librarians. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  has  30  active  members.  Its  history 
runs  parallel  with  that  of  the  congregation.  It  has  always  done 
benevolent  work,  but  we  note  especially  its  work  in  providing  the 
money  for  the  payment  of  the  lots  on  Weldon  street,  alongside 
the  old  church,  costing  $2,500,  and  also  contributing  $1,875  ^*^- 
wards  building  the  new  church.  It  has  also  done  many  other 
good  deeds,  such  as  making  up  boxes  of  clothing  for  foreign 
missionaries  and  orphans,  and  helping  the  poor  in  the  congrega- 
tion and  town.  The  officers  are  ;  Mrs.  A.  C.  Young,  president; 
Miss   Katharine  Barron,  secretary;  Mrs.  I.  K.Wismer,  treasurer. 

A  Young  People's  Society  was  organized  in  1893,  and  in 
1895  its  name  was  changed  to  the  Luther  League.  It  has  40 
members  and  holds  regular  meetings  every  Sunday  evening  for 
devotional  exercises  and  for  the  discussion  of  topics  prepared  by 
the  National  League.  It  contributed  $242  to  the  building  of  the 
church.  Following  are  its  officers :  Wm.  H.  Kautz,  president ; 
L.  W.  Lohr,  vice  president,  and  Miss  Louisa  Weber,  secretary. 
There  is  also  a  Junior  League,  whose  leader  is  Miss  Margaret 
Walters.  It  contributed  $92  to  the  building  fund.  The  Helping 
Hand  Society  contributed  $145. 

The  following  persons  are  the  Church  Council :  Rev.  I.  K. 
Wismer,  pastor  and  president ;  Prof.  A.  A.  Streng,  secretary ; 
J.  A.  Maier,  treasurer ;  Wm.  G.  Young,  Frank  S.  Weiss,  W.  H. 
Baker  and  Jacob  H.  Lohr,  deacons ;  L.  Baker,  A.  Breton  and 
Albert  Eisaman,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors:  Rev.  G.  W.  Mechling,  D.  D.,  1 864-1 865  ; 
Rev.  Daniel  Worley,  April  to  September,  1865  ;  Rev.  J.  H. 
Smith,  September,  1865  to  October,  1874  ;  a  long  vacancy. 
Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  Ph.  D.,  March,  1875  to  Feb.,  1876;  Rev.  H.  L. 
McMurry,  March,  1877  to  April,  1882  ;  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  D.  D., 
July,  1 882-1 892  ;  Rev.  I.  K.  Wismer,  June,  1892  to  the  present. 


ST.  John's  church,  connei.i,svili,e,  pa.  261 


XXVII.     SAINT  JOHN'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,   CONNELLSVILLE,  PEN¥'A. 

In  the  spring  of  1871  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke  of  West  Newton, 
Pa.,  organized  this  congregation  with  seven  famihes,  under  the 
title  of  "The  Saint  John's  EvangeHcal  Lutheran  Church,"  of 
Connellsville,  Pa.  A  constitution  was  adopted  and  officers  were 
elected.  It  was  at  first  organized  as  a  German-English  congre- 
gation and  continued  such  till  1884. 

In  1872,  it  was  united  with  Christ  Church,  West  Newton, 
to  constitute  a  parish,  of  which  Rev.  Lemcke  became  pastor. 
He  conducted  services  in  this  church  on  every  alternate  Sunday, 
in  German  and  English,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion 
twice  a  year  using  both  languages. 

Soon  after  he  began  his  work  in  this  new  field  the  old 
Disciple  church  was  purchased,  which  was  repaired  and  fitted 
up  for  the  use  of  the  Lutheran  congregation.  Rev.  Lemcke 
did  a  good  work  in  organizing  this  church,  and  his  services  were 
appreciated  by  the  people.  He  continued  his  labors  till  Feb- 
ruary, 1877,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lutheran 
church  at  Elizabeth,  Pa.,  leaving  a  membership  of  40  com- 
municants when   he  resigned. 

In  May  following.  Rev.  Philip  Doerr  became  his  successor. 
He  served  this  congregation  in  the  same  order  as  his  predeces- 
sor had  done,  preaching  and  ministering  in  German  and  Eng- 
lish until  he  resigned  in  September,  1 88 1 .  He  did  earnest  and 
successful  work.  He  baptized  many  children,  and  instructed 
and  confirmed  large  classes  of  young  people,  and  at  the  close  of 
his  pastorate  the  communicant  membership  had  increased  to  115. 
In  September,  1881,  he  resigned  this  parish  and  accepted  a 
call  from  the  Crooked  Creek  parish,  which  had  become  vacant 
through  the  resignation  of  Rev.  W.  A.  C.  Mueller. 

In  the  same  month  Rev.  W.  A.  C.  Mueller  received  a  call 
from  Connellsville,  and  thus  becftme  Rev.  Doerr' s  successor. 
St.  John's  now  desired  to  have  all  the  time   and  services  of  a 


262  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

pastor,  and  asked  to  be  constituted  a  separate  parish,  which  was 
granted,  and  Rev.  Mueller  was  installed  as  their  pastor.  He 
conducted  services  on  every  Lord's  Day,  and  did  much  pastoral 
work  during  the  week ;  instructing  the  young,  visiting  the 
sick,  and  burying  the  dead.  During  his  pastorate  the  par- 
sonage was  purchased  and  there  was  an  encouraging  growth 
in  the  membership  of  the  congregation.  When  he  resigned, 
in  June,  1884,  to  accept  a  call  from  Kutztown,  Pa.,  the  com- 
municant  membership   was  229. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Mueller,  Rev.  C.  F.  Tie- 
mann  was  elected  pastor,  and  began  his  labors  about  the  ist 
of  July,  1884.  During  his  pastorate  St.  John's  became  a  purely 
German  church.  The  English  members  withdrew,  because  the 
English  services  rendered  were  no  longer  satisfactory.  The)- 
were  organized  into  a  congregation  by  a  minister  of  the  Alle- 
gheny Synod  and  have  now  become  a  strong  congregation. 

In  September,  1889,  Rev.  Tiemann  resigned  and  accepted  a 
call  from  a  church  in  the  New  York  Ministerium.  He  reported 
304  baptisms,  62  confirmations,  and  64  additions  by  letters  of 
transfer  ;  48  funerals,  57  removals,  and  a  communicant  member- 
ship of  400. 

After  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  in  1889,  Rev.  G. 
A.  Fuergau  became  pastor  and  was  installed  by  Rev.  J.  G. 
Amschler.  He  had  nominal  charge  of  the  parish  for  about  three 
years,  but  the  unfortunate  man  became  a  victim  of  intemperance 
?nd  was  deposed  from  the  ministry  in  the  autumn  of  1892. 

On  March  5,  1893,  Rev.  Ph.  Lamerdin  was  elected  pastor, who 
served  the  congregation  about  one  year.  He  was  pastor  during 
the  time  of  financial  depression  and  strikes,  when  there  was 
much  distress  among  the  poor  laboring  people.  Hoping  to  be 
able  to  relieve  this  distress  among  his  people,  he  proposed  to 
colonize  all  who  were  willing  to  go  with  him  to  Wisconsin. 

About  one-fourth  of  the  congregation  went  with  him  ;  but 
the  colony  was  not  a  success,  and  the  people  were  sadly  disap- 
pointed. A  few  returned,  the  rest  found  homes  elsewhere.  The 
congregation  suffered  great  loss  in  the  removal  of  so  many  of  its 
besi  members,  and,  in  1894,  the  membership  was  reduced  to  150. 


ST.    JOHN'S   CHURCH,    CONNEl,I.SVIIvI.E,    PA.  263 

On  the  I  St  of  November,  1894,  Rev.  L.  O.  Hammer  was 
elected  pastor,  and  was  installed  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month 
by  the  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  He  held  services  regularly  on  every 
Sunday  and  conscientiously  performed  all  pastoral  duties.  He 
did  earnest  and  successful  work  in  gathering  the  people  and 
stren.t;Lhening  and  upbuilding  the  congregation.  Some  of  the 
(jlder  members  have  borne  cheerful  testimony  to  his  earnest- 
ness and  fidelity.  He  collected  the  money  to  cancel  the  debt, 
still  resting  on  the  parsonage,  and  put  the  congregation  into 
a  good  financial  condition  He  enlisted  the  co-operation  of  some 
of  the  English  brethren  in  caring  for  the  young  people  of  his 
church  who  were  becoming  rapidly  anglicized.  The  promising 
beginning  which  he  made  in  this  parish  was,  however,  cut 
short  by  his  resignation  in  1897.  He  has  reported  78  infant 
baptisms,  38  confirmations,  20  funerals  and  five  removals,  leav- 
ing a  membership  of  300. 

In  April,  1897,  Rev.  G.  L.  Lohman  took  charge  cf  St. 
John's  and  is  its  present  pastor.  He  was  installed  in  June  fol- 
lowing by  Revs.  D,  M.  Kemerer  and  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D., 
He  has  conducted  services  regularly,  on  every  Sunday,  and  has 
done  a  large  amount  of  ministerial  work  as  his  reports  indicates. 
During  a  pastorate  of  four  years  he  baptized  338  children,  con- 
firmed 150  adults  and  added  16  members  by  letters  of  transfer. 
He  conducted  115  funerals,  had  a  loss  of  32  by  removal  and  at 
present  reports  a  membership  of  600. 

The  pastor's  home  has  been  enlarged  and  greatly  improved, 
at  considerable  cost.  Pastor  Lohman  has  also  built  a  frame 
school  house  in  the  rear  of  the  parsonage  24  feet  square,  which 
is  being  used  as  a  place  of  worship  during  the  time  that  the 
church  was  being  built. 

In  the  spring  of  1901,  a  beginning  was  made  to  build  a  new 
church.  A  plan  was  adopted  and  a  contract  let  for  the  building. 
On  the  4th  of  September  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  appro- 
priate services.  Revs.  F.  W.  Kohler,  D.  M.  Kemerer  and  J.  C. 
Kunzman  assisted  the  pastor  on  this  occasion.  The  work  of 
building  has  been  under  the  care  of  Rev.  L,ohman,  and  has  been 
carried  on  as  fast  as  possible.     The  church  is  almost  compelted 


264  SOUTHKRN   CONFERENCE. 

and  is  a  very  handsome  structure.  It  is  built  on  the  oM  site, 
and  the  side  walls  of  the  old  church,  which  are  of  elegant  stone, 
have  been  utilized. 

The  new  church,  however,  extends  14  feet  in  front,  forming 
a  commodious  vestibule  and  Iwo  corner  towers  through  which  are 
the  entrances  into  the  auditorium.  The  one  on  the  .south  corner 
terminates  in  a  spire  surmounted  by  a  neat  gilt  cro.ss.  Two 
large  bells  have  been  placed  in  it, which  were  dedicated  on  Pente- 
cost. About  10  teet  were  added  to  the  rear  end  to  make  room 
for  a  sacristy  and  pastor's  study  in  the  northeast  and  southeast 
corners,  and  an  altar  place  in  the  middle. 

The  whole  church  is  44x60  feet  in  size,  gothic  in  style  and 
is  built  of  red  and  yellow  pressed  brick,  and  presents  a  fine  ap- 
pearance. The  ceiling  of  the  auditorium  is  purely  gothic  and 
is  finished  in  cedar.  The  windows  are  of  fine  stained  glass, 
highly  ornamented.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  when  fin- 
ished and  furnished,  will  be  about  $15,000. 

This  congregation  is  now  30  years  old.  One  generation  has 
passed  away  and  nearly  all  the  people  who  laid  the  foundation 
here  are  gone.  Only  two  persons  remain  who  entered  the  origi- 
nal organization,  Father  Christian  Snyder  and  Jacob  Siller 
There  has  bten  a  great  growth  in  the  town,  and  a  corresponding 
growth  in  the  congregation.  It  has  a  Sunday  School  which 
is  under  the  care  of  the  pastor,  and  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  com- 
posed of  a  small  number  of  the  good  women  of  the  congregation. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors :  Rev.  H.  J.  H.  Lemcke, 
April,  1 87 1  to  Feb.,  1877  ;  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  May,  1877  to  Sep- 
tember, 1881  ;  Rev.  W.  A.  C.  Mueller,  Sept.,  1881  to  June,  1884; 
Rev.  C.  F.  Tiemann,  June,  1S84  to  Sept.,  1889  ;  Rev.  G.  A.  Fir. 
gau,  Sept.,  1889  to  Nov.,  1892;  Rev.  Ph.  Lamerdin,  March,  1893 
to  April,  1894  ;,  Rev.  L.  O.  Hammer,  Nov.,  1894  to  March  1897; 
Rev.  G.  L.  Lohman,  1897  to  present  time. 


(  .y. 


/« 


u^^ 


ST.  I'AliL'S  CHURCH.  S(  OTTDALF 


HOLY   TRINITY   CHURCH,    IRWIN,    PA.  265 


XXVIII.     HOLY  TRINITY  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,    IRWIN,    PENN'A. 

J^erv'ices  were  conducted  occasionally  in  Irwin  during  1873, 
by  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew,  at  the  request  of  a  few  Lutheran 
people,  most  of  whom  were  members  of  Trinity  church,  Adams- 
burg.  It  was  their  earnest  desire  to  establish  a  Lutheran  church 
in  this  town. 

On  the  30th  of  May,  1874,  a  meeting  was  held  at  which 
Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  presided,  to  consider  the  propriety  of 
organizing  a  Lutheran  congregation  in  Irwin.  After  a  full  dis- 
cussion of  the  matter  an  organization  was  effected.  A  constitu- 
tion was  adopted,  officers  were  elected  and  the  following  persons 
signed  the  constitution :  Louis  Eisaman,  Henry  K.  Walthour, 
G.  B.  Painter,  C.  C.  Painter,  Mrs.  Sarah  Wideman,  Adam  La- 
ney,  J.   B.  Blyholder  and  Leonard  Hunker. 

Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholomew,  with  the  assistance  of  a  few  other 
brethren,  supplied  this  church  till  a  regular  pastor  was  called. 

In  the  spring  of  1876  Trinity  church,  Adamsburg,  and 
Irwin,  were  united  and  constituted  a  parish,  and  on  the  ist  of 
April,  1876,  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy  of  Delmont,  was  called  and  be- 
came its  pastor.  He  ministered  regularly  to  this  congregation  on 
every  Sunday  and  had  good  success  in  gathering  the  people.  He 
had  only  20  members  when  he  took  charge,  and  when  he  ren- 
dered his  report  to  the  synod,  in  1877,  he  had  52  communicant 
members.     Services  were  held  in  a  hall  till  a  church  was  built. 

In  the  spring  of  1877  ^  lot  was  purchased  on  Main  street  as 
a  site  for  a  church ;  a  building  committee  was  appointed  ;  a  plan 
for  a  church  was  adopted,  and  the  contract  let  for  the  building. 
On  the  25th  of  July  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  Revs.  P.  Doerr, 
Enoch  Smith,  W.  F.  Ulery,  and  Samuel  Laird,  the  President  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod,  were  present  and  assisted  the  pastor  at 
these  services. 

The  work  of  building  was  carried  on  so  successfully  that  the 
church  was  finished  by  the  ist  of  January,  1878,  and  on  the  24th 


266  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

of  February  it  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God,  Revs.  W. 
A.  Passavant,  D.  D.,  W.  F.  Ulery  and  A.  H.  Bartholomew  assisted 
at  these  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant  preached  the  sermon  of 
dedication. 

The  church  was  a  plain  brick  building,  gothic  in  style,  32x54 
feet  in  size,  with  a  corner  tower  50  feet  high,  through  which  was 
the  entrance  into  the  auditorium.  It  was  neatly  built  and  plainly 
furnished;  had  a  seating  capacity  of  250,  and  cost  $2,800. 

Rev.  Christy  continued  his  labors  in  this  parish  till  April, 
1 88 1,  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Zelienople 
parish,  Butler  county,  Pa.  He  made  the  following  report  as 
to  membership :  Baptized  50  children,  confirmed  24  adults, 
added  35  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  a  membesrhip  of  70  at 
the  close  of  his  pastorate. 

In  June  following,  Riv.  E.  G.  Lund  was  called  as  his  suc- 
cessor and  was  installed  on  the  ytli  of  August  by  Revs.  W.  F. 
Ulery  and  A.  H.  Waters.  He  rendered  acceptable  service  to 
Trinity  church  and  was  quite  successful  in  his  work  ;  but  he  re- 
signed in  June,  1883,  to  accept  a  call  from  a  church  in  Milwau- 
kee, Wis.  He  made  the  following  report :  Baptized  21  children; 
received  some  30  by  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer,  and  had 
a  membership  of  87. 

In  1883,  Trinity,  Irwin,  became  a  separate  parish  and 
Adamsburg  church  was  united  with  Brush  Creek.  Later  Unity 
church.  Manor  Station,  was  added  to  Irwin.  In  September, 
1884,  Rev.  F.  W.  Kohler  was  called  and  served  Trinity  church 
for  two  years.  He  rendered  valuable  service  in  that  he 
collected  the  money  needed  to  free  the  church  from  debt,  and 
placed  the  congregation  on  a  sound  financial  basis.  But  his 
pastorate,  like  that  of  his  predecessor,  Avas  too  short  to  do  more 
than  simply  to  indicate  what  ought  to  be  done.  He  resigned  on 
the  17th  of  October,  i885,  to  accept  a  call  from  Lunenburg, 
Nova  Scotia.  He  reported  19  infant  baptisms,  six  confirma- 
tions and  nine  additions  by  letters  of  transfer  ;  a  loss  of  12  by 
death  and  removal  and  a  communicant  membership  of  74. 

In  November,  1886,  Rev.  E.  L-  Baker,  of  the  Theological 
Seminary,  Philadelphia,  succeeded  Rev.  Kohler  and  was  pastor 


HOLY   TRINITY   CHURCH,    IRWIN,    PA.  267 

of  this  church  for  four  years.  He  ministered  regularly  to  this 
congregation  on  everj'  Lord's  Day  generall}''  morning  and  even- 
ing ;  but  he  also  served  Manor  Mission  in  connection  with  it. 
He  had  a  fair  measure  of  success  during  the  four  years  of  his 
pastorate.  He  rendered  the  following  report :  39  infant  bap- 
tisms, 10  confirmations,  and  22  additions  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  had  a  communicant  membership  of  82  when  he  resigned, 
Dec,  1890,  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Stone  Creek  parish  in  Ohio. 

In  the  spring  of  1891,  Rev.  S.  K.  Herbster  of  West  Newton, 
was  called  ard  became  pastor  on  the  ist  of  July.  He  was  in- 
stalled by  Revs.  D.  M.  Kemerer  and  R.  M.  Zimmerman.  After 
looking  over  the  field  he  went  earnestly  to  work  to  gather  the 
people  that  were  scattered  on  account  of  the  long  vacancy  that 
had  occurred,  and  was  quite  successful  in  his  efforts.  He  has 
held  services  in  Trinity  church  on  every  Lord's  Day,  morning 
and  evening,    and  at    Manor    Station   every  Sunday  afternoon. 

His  faithful  work  has  brought  forth  fruit.  From  a  little  flock 
of  some  sixty  effective  members,  when  he  took  charge  of  Trinity 
it  has  now  become  a  self-sustaining  congregation  of  270  mem- 
bers. He  has  made  the  following  report  as  to  accessions  and  losses: 
109  infant  baptisms,  120  confirmations,  89  additions  bj^  letters  of 
transfer;  a  loss  of  14  by  death  and  47  by  removal  and  a  com- 
municant membership  of  270  at  the  present  time. 

In  the  autumn  of  189 1,  a  move  was  made  by  the  congrega- 
tion to  provide  a  pastor's  home.  A  suitable  lot  was  purchased 
on  Pennsylvania  A\  e.  for  $900.  Work  was  begun  at  once  excavat- 
ing the  cellar  and  laying  the  foundation.  The  contract  for  the 
building  was  let  and  the  work  carried  forward  so  rapidly  that  the 
house  was  finished  by  the  following  spring,  and  on  the  ist  of 
May,  1892,  it  was  ready  for  occupancy  by  the  pastor  and  his 
family,  and  has  been  their  commodious  and  comfortable  home 
ever  since.  It  is  a  neat,  substantial  frame  house,  containing 
eight  rooms,  with  all  the  conveniences  of  a  well  planned  house. 
It  cost  $3,500  including  the  price  of  the  lot. 

The  congregation  is  now  engaged  in  building  a  new  church. 
A  beginning  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1901.  A  building  com- 
mittee was  appointed,  an  architect  employed  to  prepare  suitable 


268  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

plans,  which  have  been  adopted  and  the  contract  let  for  the 
building  for  $14,000.  The  old  church  was  torn  down  in  July, 
1901,  and  in  August  work  was  begun  on  the  new  church  and  oa 
the  29th  of  September,  1901,  the  corner-stone  was  laid.  Kevs. 
Drs.  Edmund  Belfour  and  J.  C.  Kunzman  assisted  the  pastor  at 
these  services.  No  work  was  done  on  the  building  till  the 
spring  of  1902,  when  it  was  resumed  and  at  this  writing  (June 
17,  1902,)  the  brick  walls  are  completed.  It  is  octagonal  in  style 
and  has  a  seating  capacity  for  300  persons. 

Trinity  church  has  a  Sunday  School,  which  is  as  old  as  the 
congregation  ;  but  has  recently  been  organized  according  to  the 
advanced  system  of  Graded  Lessons  and  uses  the  literature  of  the 
General  Council  Publication  Board.  It  now  numbers  200 
scholars  and  20  officers  and  teachers.  It  also  has  a  Ladies'  Aid 
Society,  which  was  organized  in  August,  1891,  and  has  now  22 
active  members.  It  is  an  energetic,  working  organization, which 
has  done  much  good  and  is  now  raising  money  for  the  new 
church.  Its  present  officers  are :  Mrs.  S.  K.  Herbster,  presi- 
dent ;  Mrs.  J. Wolf,  secretary  and  Miss  Sadie  Walthour,  treasurer. 

The  Luther  League  is  another  working  society  of  the 
church,  which  holds  regular  meetings  for  mutual  improvement, 
and  is  now  also  engaged  in  raising  money  for  the  building  fund. 
The  Junior  League  was  organized  on  the  4th  of  February,  1900, 
and  has  20  members  and  holds  regular  meetings.  Officers  are  : 
Victor  Herbster,  president;  Miss  Emily  Meerhoff,  vice  president; 
Miss  Alice  Kiehl,  secretaj^'. 

The  following  named  persons  are  the  present  Church  Coun- 
cil and  are  also  the  building  Committee  :  L.  Colerick,  Edward 
Walthour,  J.  O.  Howell,  M.  M.  Cleland,  J.  S.  Kiehl.  H.  L. 
Meerhoff  and  Morrow  Kunkle.  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Herbster, 
pastor  and  ex-officio  chairman  of  the  Church  Council. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors  :  Rev.  A.  H.  Bartholo- 
mew, 1874,  to  April,  1876  ;  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  April,  1876, 
to  April,  1881  ;  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund.  D.  D.,  June,  1881  to  June 
1883  ;  Rev.  Fred  W.  Kohler,  Sept.,  1884  to  Oct.  1886  ;  Rev.  Ed- 
ward, L.  Baker,  Nov.,  1886  to  Dec,  1890;  Rev.  Samuel  K. 
Herbster,  July,  1891,  to  the  present. 


CHRIST'S   CHURCH,    FAYETTE    SPRINGS,    PA.  269 


XXIX.     CHRIST  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN  CHURCH 

FAYETTE  SPRINGS  OR  CHALK  HILL, 

FAYETTE,  COUNTY,  PENN'A, 

Soon  after  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  removed  to  the  Soldiers' 
Orphans'  School  to  Jumonville,  Mr.  John  Menhart,  living  at 
Chalk  Hill,  made  an  earnest  reqnest  of  him  to  hold  services  in  a 
school  house  in  that  vicinity.  He  willingly  complied,  and  his 
services  opened  the  way  and  created  the  desire  for  more  services. 
Soon  this  became  a  regular  preaching  station,  which  was  served 
by  Rev.  Waters  for  nearly  ten  years. 

In  1875  Rev.  F.  C.  E.  Lemcke  spent  hi^  summer  vacation  in 
in  doing  mission  work  in  this  community,  and  the  same  year 
Rev.  Waters  organized  a  congregation  under  the  title  of  "Christ 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church."  A  constitution  was  adopted 
and  officers  were  elected.  With  the  exception  of  the  year  1878, 
when  Rev.  E.  G.  Lund  supplied  the  congregation.  Rev.  Waters 
served  it  regularly,  or  provided  for  its  supply,  till  1886,  when 
Rev.  John  A.  Waters  took  charge  of  it  and  has  been  its  pastor 
ever  since. 

In  1894  a  lot  01  ground,  containing  three  acres,  was  pur- 
chased on  which,  in  the  following  year,  a  cemetery  was  laid  out 
and  a  beginning  made  to  bnild  a  church.  Plans  were  adopted, 
the  contract  let,  and  on  the  14th  of  July  the  corner-stone  was 
laid.  The  pastor  was  assisted  by  Revs.  A.  H.  Waters,  Alfred 
Ramsey  and  the  President  of  the  Synod.  The  work  of  building 
was  pushed  successfully  forward  and  on  the  nth  of  October  of 
the  same  year,  it  was  completed,  and  was  dedicated  to  the  wor- 
ship of  God  with  impressive  services.  Revs.  A.  H.  Waters,  Al- 
fred Ramsey  and  E.  G.  Lund  were  present  and  assisted  the  pastor 
on  this  occasion. 

The  church  is  a  frame  building,  28x42  feet  in  size,  neatly 
built  and  furnished  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.  It  has  a  tower, 
vestibule,  and  stained  glass  windows,  and  is  all  that  could  be 
desired  in  a  rural  church.     It  serves  the  community  well  and  is 


270  SOUTHERN   CONFERKNCE. 

deservedly  popular.  In  1895  it  was  chartered.  The  mem- 
bership has  never  been  large,  and,  owing  to  local  changes,  there 
has  been  considerable  fluctuation,  but  it  is  made  up  of  substan- 
tial people.     It  has  a  communicant  membership  of  50. 

Following  are  the  names  of  the  council :  Rev.  John  A.  Waters, 
pastor  and  president ;  John  Menhart,  Joseph  Jackson,  Jr.,  Chris- 
topher Weldig,  Henry  Rohlf  and  John  Wiggins. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  1874-1886  ;  Rev.  John 
A.  Waters,  1S86  to  the  present  time. 


XXX.      SAINT  JOHN'S   EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  SALTSBURG,  PENN'A. 

Services  were  held  in  Saltsburg  as  early  as  1851,  by  Rev. 
Jacob  N.  Burket,  who  was  pastor  of  St.  James,  Bell  township, 
Westmoreland  county,  and  Maysville,  in  Armstrong  county,  for 
several  years  and  lived  at  Saltsburg,  Pa.  After  he  resigned  this 
parish  these  services  were  discontinued.  But  when  Rev,  V.  B. 
Christy  became  pastor  of  St.  James  and  Salem  parish,  in  1868, 
he  began  to  hold  services  here,  at  first  cccasionally,  later  regu- 
larly. After  these  services  had  been  conducted  for  several  j-ears 
there  was  such  an  interest  awakened,  that  the  people  expressed 
a  desire  to  have  a   Lutheran  congregation  organized. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  1876,  a  meeting  of  those  inter- 
ested in  this  matter  was  held  at  which  Revs.  V.  B.  Christy  and 
J.  Sarver  were  present,  the  former  of  whom  presided.  After  a 
full  discussion  of  the  feasibility  and  necessity  of  establishing  a 
Lutheran  congregation  in  this  place,  an  organization  was  ef- 
fected by  a  unanimous  vote,  a  constitution  was  adopted  and  of- 
ficers were  elected.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  this  ccngre- 
gation  Rev.  Chtisty  resigned. 


ST.    JOHN'S   CHURCH,    SALTSBURG,    PA.  27 1 

The  St.  James  and  Salem  parish  was  now  re-adjusted. 
Salem  church  was  united  with  St.  John's,  Manor,  and  St.  James. 
St.  John's.  Saltsburg  and  Fennelton  were  constituted  a  parish. 
In  September,  1876,  Rev.  John  Y.  Marks  became  pastor  of  this 
parish  and  served  it  for  about  two  years. 

He  conducted  .services  on  every  alternate  Sunday  in  St. 
John's  church  and  had  a  fair  measure  of  success ;  but  in  the 
spring  of  1878  some  trouble  arose  and  he  resigned  Saltsburg  and 
Fennelton.  After  his  resignation,  Rev.  John  D.  Roth,  of  Del- 
niont  took  charge  and  supplied  it  for  one  5'ear. 

In  August,  1879,  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman  was  called 
and  became  pastor  of  this  parish.  He  began  his  work  on  the 
2ith  of  September,  with  earnestness  and  enthusiasm.  As  soon 
as  he  had  canvassed  the  field  he  began  to  discuss  the  necessity 
of  securing  a  lot,  and  building  a  church. 

On  the  28tli  of  February,  1880,  a  congregational  meeting 
was  held  to  take  steps  to  secure  a  location.  A  committee  was 
appointed,  of  which  the  pastor  was  the  chairman,  instructed  to 
purchase  a  suitable  lot  as  a  site  for  a  church.  On  the  30th  of 
April,  188 1,  another  meeting  was  held,  when  it  was  decided  to 
have  the  congregation  chartered.  A  form  of  a  charter  was 
adopted  and  signed  by  19  members.  A  petition  was  presented 
to  the  court  of  Indiana  county,  and  on  the  nth  of  September, 
1881,  the  charter  was  granted. 

After  much  discussion  in  the  committee  as  to  the  best  and 
most  suitable  location  it  was  agreed  that  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmer- 
man should  buy  "the  McQuiston  property"  and  deed  part  of  it 
to  the  congregation  as  a  site  for  a  church.  After  this  purchase 
was  made  Rev.  Zimmermau  and  wife  on  the  loth  of  November, 
1 881,  conveyed  to  the  congregation,  a  lot,  on  Main  street,  50x100 
feet  in  size,  for  the  consideration  of  $850.  This  is  the  lot  on 
which  the  St.  John's  church  now  stands.  The  work  of  building 
was  begun.  A  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  Rev.  R. 
M.  Zimmerman,  W.  A.  Spahr,  Amos  Uncapher  and  M.  A. 
Kunkle;  subscriptions  were  solicited  ;  a  plan  for  a  church 
adopted  and  contracts  let  for  the  several  lines  of  work. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1882,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 


272  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

appropriate  services.  Revs.  W.  F.  Ulery  and  J.  Sarver  were 
present  on  this  interesting  occasion  and  assisted  the  pastor  at 
these  services.  Meanwhile  regular  services  were  held  in  the 
Baptist  church,  and  the  enthusiastic  young  pastor,  too,  was  en- 
gaged in  making  brick  for  the  church.  This  undertaking, 
though  it  imposed  much  heavy  work  upon  him,  did  not  result  in 
any  advantage  to  the  congregation,  as  it  did  not  prove  a  success. 
The  work  of  building  and  finishing  the  church  was  carried  on 
as  fast  as  circumstances  permitted,  but  it  was  much  delaved  be- 
cause the  committee  was  greatly  embarrassed  in  its  completion 
for  the  lack  of    money. 

In  the  fall  of  1883,  the  church  was  finished  and  on  the  i8th 
of  December  the  fcMst  of  dedication  was  celebrated  with  much 
rejoicing.  Rev.  Edmund  Belfour,  D,  D.,  president  of  the  Pitts- 
burg Synod,  Rev.  Prof.  H.  W.  Roth,  D.  D.,  president  of  Thiel 
College  and  Revs.  W.  F.  Ulerj'  and  J.  C.  Kunzman  assisted  the 
pastor  at  these  services.  Rev.  Dr.  Miller  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  was  also  present  and  rendered  valuable  services  in  the 
matter  of  raising  money  to  liquidate  the  indebtedness  of  the 
congregation. 

The  church  is  a  handsome  brick  building,  trimmed  with 
white  sandstone,  36x55  feet  in  size,  and  gothic  in  style.  It  is 
neatly  finished  and  appropriately  furnished  and  is  churchly  in  all 
its  appointments.  It  has  beautiful  stauied  glass  windows,  most 
of  which  are  memorial,  and  were  all  donated  by  friends.  It  has 
neat  and  very  comfortable  pews,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
about  300  persons.     The  entire  cost  of  the  church  was  $6,500. 

In  May,  1884,  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman  resigned,  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  St.  Paul's  church,  Philadelphia.  He  made 
the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  during  his  pastorate 
in  this  church  :  He  baptized  five  children,  confirmed  six  adults 
and  had  a  loss  of  11  by  removal,  and  a  communicant  membership 

of  35- 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Zimmerman,   Rev.  D.  M. 

Kemerer  became  his  successor  and  at  once  entered  on  the  work. 

He  tried  to  collect  the  outstanding  subscriptions  to  the  building 

fund    and  pay  off   the   indebtedness  on  the  church.     He  soon 


ST.   JOHN'S  CHURCH,   SAI.TSBURG,    PA.  273 

found,  however,  that  Rev.  Zimmerman  had  not  fully  estimated 
the  indebtedness  and  had  over  estimated  the  value  of  the  sub- 
scriptions to  the  building  fund.  But  little  was  realized  on  the 
old  subscriptions,  and  the  deficit  was  found  to  be  over  $1,000. 
He  ministered  acceptably  to  this  congregation  for  three  years 
when  he  was  elected  missionary  president,  which  demanded  all 
his  time.  He  resigned  on  the  ist  of  October,  1887,  and  made 
the  following  report  of  his  work:  He  baptized  13  children, 
added  24  to  the  membership  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  let- 
ters of  transfer,  and  had  a  communicant  membership  at  the  close 
of  his  pastorate  of  44. 

In  January,  1888,  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Hudson  was  called  and 
was  pastor  of  this  church  for  eight  and  one  half  years.  He  min- 
istered acceptably  to  St.  John's  and  had  a  fair  measure  of  suc- 
cess, considering  the  diflSculties  with  which  he  had  to  contend. 
He  endeared  himself  to  the  members  of  this  church,  as  he 
lived  among  them  and  came  frequently  in  contact  with  them. 
He  did  not,  however,  succeed  in  liquidating  or  even  in  reducing 
the  debt  on  the  church,  but,  owing  to  the  financial  depression 
and  strikes,  it  increased,  and  it  seemed  at  one  time  as  if  it  would 
crush  the  little  congregation. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1896,  Rev.  Hudson  resigned  this 
parish  ;  St.  James  accepted  his  resignation,  but  St.  John's  and 
Fennelton  refused  to  accept,  and  he  was  persuaded  to  continue 
to  be  their  pastor.  He  ministered  to  St.  John's  and  Fennelton 
till  October,  1896,  when  he  received  a  pressing  call  from  Cata- 
saqua,  Pa.,  which  he  accepted.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate  in 
this  church  he  made  the  following  report :  baptized  41  children, 
had  64  confirmations,  and  51  additions  by  letters  of  transfer; 
a  loss  of  7  by  death  and  30  by  removal,  and  a  communicant 
membership  of  46.  The  parish  was  vacant  for  some  months 
after  his  resignation 

Mr.  W.  E.  Bauer,  a  student,  of  Mount  Airy  Seminary, 
Philadelphia,  was  sent  out  in  1896,  to  spend  his  Christmas  vaca- 
tion among  these  people.  He  returned  at  Easter  1897.  On  the 
8th  of  May,  he  was  called,  and  became  their  pastor  as  soon  as 
.he  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  in  August,  1897,  and 


274  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

was  installed  on  the  3rd  of  October  by  Rev.  Philip  Doerr. 
He  held  services  on  every  Sunday  in  this  church  since  he 
has  been  pastor  of  this  parish,  and  did  successful  work.  St. 
John's  church  has  had  a  severe  struggle  since  Rev.  Bauer  has 
been  pastor  of  it.  The  loss  of  so  many  members  by  removal  on 
account  of  the  depression  in  business,  and  the  heavy  debt  resting 
on  the  church  property,  made  the  future  outlook  very  dark  and 
discouraging. 

In  the  beginning  of  1899,  the  debt  was  over  $1,700. 
Though  it  was  a  hard  struggle  to  build  this  church  at  first  for  a 
mere  handful  of  people,  it  was  a  much  harder  struggle  to  pay  off 
the  debt  that  encumbered  it.  It  took  a  most  heroic  effort 
to  pay  this  debt  and  save  the  church.  We  think  that  the 
pastor  and  members,  as  well  as  the  friends  of  the  congregation, 
deserve  great  credit,  and  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  success- 
ful manner  in  which  this  has  been  done. 

Father  Jacob  Rugh  made  a  noble  beginning  in  donating 
$300.  Mr.  Isaac  Home  deserves  special  mention  for  his  gener- 
ous gift  of  $400.  A  sinking  fund  was  created  covering  the  bal- 
ance ($1,000),  which  four  members  agreed  to  jointly  carry,  free 
of  interest,  till  the  congregation  could  pay  it.  This  magnani- 
mous act  on  the  part  of  these  good  people,  so  encouraged  the 
members,  especially  the  noble  women  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society, 
that  they  went  to  work  at  once,  and  with  a  strong  will.  Byjself- 
denial  and  persevering  efforts,  assisted  by  a  few  kind  friends, 
they  have  now  paid  three  of  these  notes,  and  the  last  $300  will, 
by  the  help  of  God,  be  paid  in  the  near  future. 

This  congreation  has  received  some  aid  from  the  synod,  but 
in  the  light  of  the  heroic  conduct  of  its  members,  it  is  evident 
that  this  money  has  been  well  invested,  and  there  is  a  hope  for  a 
bright  and  prosperous  future  for  it.  Rev.  Bauer  deserves  great 
praise  for  what  he  has  done  during  his  short  pastorate.  He  re- 
signed on  April  1,  1902,  and  accepted  a  call  to  Trinity  church, 
Braddock,  Pa.  He  has  reported  25  infant  baptisms,  15  confirma- 
tions, and  eight  additions  by  letters  of  transfer.  There  has  been 
a  loss  of  II  by  death,  56  by  removal,  and  a  membership  of  46. 

St.  John's  is   now   26   years  old  and  has  had  six  pastors, 


ST.    JOHN'S  CHURCH,    SALTSBURG,    PA.  275 

including  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  who  organized  it,  and  it  has  had 
some  peculiar  trials,  which  were  due,  iu  a  great  measure,  to  the 
vicissitudes  of  the  town.  When  the  town  prospered  the  congre- 
gation grew,  and  when  the  town  met  with  reverses  it  felt  the 
shock,  by  the  removal  of  its  members  and  the  withdrawal  of  sup- 
port. At  present  there  is  a  fair  outlook  for  Saltsburg  and  also 
for  St.  John's. 

It  has  a  Sunday  School  numbering  some  30  scholars,  with  a 
band  of  officers  and  teachers.  Its  management  is  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  pastor  and  church  council.  The  Ladies'  Aid  So- 
ciety was  organized  in  1898,  with  15  members.  The  first  officers 
were  Mrs.  J.  B.  Johnston,  president ;  Miss  Pauline  Schmidt,  sec- 
retary, Mrs.  J,  J.  Flohr,  treasurer.  This  society  has  been  a 
great  help  to  the  congregation,  as  pastorjBauer  has  informed  us, 
in  its  financial  straits  and  especially  in  reducing  the  indebtedt- 
ness  of  the  church.  The  present  officers  are :  Mrs.  H.  Hilty, 
president ;  Mrs.  D.  Brewer,  vice  president ;  Mrs.  J.  Flohr,  sec- 
retary, and  Miss  Heimberger,  treasurer. 

The  Luther  League  was  organized  in  1896,  and  worked  well 
for  several  years.  It  gave  a  beautiful  communion  set  to  the  con- 
gregation, and  contributed  $39  for  repairs  on  the  church,  but, 
owing  to  the  removal  of  many  of  its  active  members,  it  has  been 
suspended  for  some  time. 

The  present  church  council  are  :  William  H.  McCreary, 
Wm.  A.  Uncapher,  I.  Uncapher,  O.  Frank  and  Calvin  Marts, 
deacons ;  J.  S.  Hart  and  A.  F.  Uncapher,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  who  served  it  as  a  pro- 
visional organization  and  permanently  organized  it  in  1876;  Rev. 
John  Y.  Marks,  Sept.,  1879  to  May,  1878  ;  Rev.  John  D.  Roth, 
temporary  pastor  in  1878-1879  ;  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman, 
Sept.,  1879  to  June,  1884  ;  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer,  June,  1884  to 
Oct.,  1887  ;  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Hudson,Jan.  1888  to  Oct.,  1896  ;  Rev. 
Wm,  E.  Bauer,  May,  1897  to  April,  1902. 


276  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 


XXXI.      BETKEL   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  COOK  TOWNSHIP,  WEST- 
MORELAND CO.,  PA. 

Soon  after  Rev.  D.  Earhart  became  pastor  of  thi^  Donegal  par- 
ish, 1876,  he  begfin  to  hold  services  in  a  school  house  near  Mans-^ 
ville,  Cook  township.  After  these  Services  had  been  continued 
for  several  years,  such  an  interest  was  awakened'  among  thos^ 
who  attended  them,  that  they  expressed  the  desire  that  a  Lu-^ 
therah  church  be  established  in  that  community.  ' '  ;'  -' 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1S79,  a  meeting  was  held  of  those -ifl- 
terested,  and  after  a  full  discussion  of  the  subject,  a  resolution 
was  unanimously  passed  that  a  congregation  be  and  is  hereby 
organized,  under  the  title  of  "Bethel  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church  Cook  township,"  Westmoreland  count3\  This  congre- 
gation started  with  34  charter  members.  A  constitution  was 
adopted,  and  officers  were  elected. 

The  following  named  persons  were  the  first  church  council, 
and  were  also  designated  as  a  building  committee  to  take  charge 
of  the  erection  of  the  new  church  :  John  Siahl,  and  J.  Piper, 
elders.  Andrew  Stahl  and  Adam  Stahl,  deacons.  The  officers 
elected  were  installed  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  organization 
of  the  congregation.  The  work  of  church  building  was  com- 
menced as  soon  as  practicable,  A  plan  was  adopted,  subscrip- 
tions solicited  and  contracts  given  out  for  the  several  lines  of 
work.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  ist  of  June,  1880.  One 
year  after  its  organization  the  communicant  membership  had  in- 
creased to  43.  Revs.  Enoch  Smith,  H.  L.  McMurry  and  S.  L. 
Harkey  were  present  and  assisted  Rev.  Earhart,  the  pastor,  at 
these  interesting  services.  The  work  of  building  was  pushed 
forward  as  fast  as  circumstances  permitted. 

On  the  ist  of  May,  1881,  the  church  was  completed  and  on 
the  2oth  of  the  same  month  it  w^s  set  apart  to  the  worship  of 
God.     Revs.  S.  L.  Harkey  and  W.  F.  Ulery  assisted  the  pastor 


BKTHEL  CHURCH,    COOK   TOWNSHIP.  277 

on  this  memorable  occasion.  Rev.  Dr.  Harkey  preached  the 
sermon  of  dedication  and  Rev.  Ulery  assisted  in  the  consecra- 
tion service.  The  church  is  a  plain  frame  building,  gothic  in 
style,  34x48  feet  in  size,  has  a  seating  capacity  for  about  200  per- 
sons and  cost  $1,250.  It  is  plainly,  but  neatly  finished  and  fur 
nished,  and  is  a  comfortable  house  of  worship. 

Rev.  Earhart  continued  his  ministry  for  some  time  after  the 
completion  of  the  church  and  his  labors  were  crowned  with  suc- 
cess. He  added  quite  a  number  of  members,  for  when  he  re- 
signed, in  July,  1882,  he  reported  a  communicant  membership 
of  75.  A  long  vacancy  occurred  after  his  resignation,  which 
was  not  well  supplied;  this  caused  a  large  falling  off  in  the 
membership. 

In  June,  1885,  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum  was  called  and  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Donegal  parish.  When  he  held  his  first  com- 
munion he  found  less  than  50  members  ir  active  fellowship  with 
the  congregation.  He  served  this  church  for  three  years  very 
acceptably,  holding  services  on  e\ery  alternate  Sunday,  and  com- 
munion twice  a  year.  He  resigned  in  August,  1888,  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  a  parish  in  Armstrong  county.  At  the  close 
ot  his  brief  pastorate,  he  made  the  following  report  of  his  work. 
He  performed  28  infant  baptisms,  received  21  into  full  member- 
ship by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  eight  by  letters  of  transfer, 
and  had  a  membership  of  73. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Rosenbaum,  Rev.  Samuel 
Stouffer  was  called,  and  became  the  pastor  of  the  parish  on  the 
ist  of  September,  1888.  He  served  Bethel  for  five  and  a  half 
years  in  a  very  faithful  manner,  holding  services  every  two  weeks 
as  his  predecessors  had  done,  and  had  a  fair  measure  of  success. 
He  baptized  39  children,  confirmed  15  adults,  added  six  by  letters 
of  transfer,  and  had  a  loss  of  13  by  death  and  removal.  He  re- 
signed on  the  ist  of  March,  1894,  and  accepted  a  call  from 
Jacob's  Church,   Fayette  county. 

Rev.  Stouffer  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline  of  Scott- 
dale,  who  served  this  congregation  only  one  year,  when  he  was 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  failing  health.     He  baptized 


278  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

19  children,  confirmed  15  adults,  added  four  by  letters  of  transfer 
and  reported  a  membership  of  63. 

In  1896  Bethel  was  united  with  the  Ligonier  parish  and  Rev. 
A.  H.  Bartholomew  became  pastor  in  connection  with  St.  James, 
Ligonier.  He  served  it  on  every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon,  and 
rendered  acceptable  service.  When  he  resigned,  in  the  autumn 
of  1898,  he  reported  six  baptisms,  six  confirmations  and  a  com- 
municant membership  of  75. 

On  the  istof  September,  1898,  Rev.  H.  L,.  McMurry  became 
pastor  of  this  parish,  and  now  serves  this  congregation  on  every 
other  Sunday  afternoon.  He  reports  15  infant  baptisms,  six  con- 
firmations, several  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  a  commu- 
nicant membership  of  78. 

Bethel  has  a  Sunday  School  of  55  scholars,  seven  teachers 
and  three  officers,  which  is  regularly  conducted  and  is  doing  a 
good  work  for  the  children  and  youth  of  the  congregation,  but  it 
has  neither  lyUther  lycague  nor  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 

The  following  persons  are  the  church  council :  Washington 
Auckerman,  Edward  Karns,  Wlliam  Hunter  and  George  Stahl, 
deacons  ;  Rev.  H.  L,.  McMurr)^  pastor  and  ex-offiicio  president. 

Ivist  of  pastors:  Rev.  David  Earhart,  June,  1879  to  July 
1882  ;  a  long  vacancy  which  was  partially  supplied  by  Rev.  J.  P. 
Hentz  and  Mr.  Mayne  ;  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum,  June,  1885  to 
Aug.,  1888;  Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer,  Sept.,  1888  to  March,  1894;; 
a  vacancy  till  1896;  Rev.  A,  H.  Bartholomew,  Sept.,  1896  to 
Sept.,  1898;  Rev.  H.  L,.   McMurry,  Sept.,  1898  to  the  present. 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    MT.    PLEASANT,    PA.  279 


XXXII.     TRINITY  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  MOUNT   PLEASANT,  PA. 

When  Rev.  Enoch  Smith  became  pastor  of  Mt.  Pleasant 
parish,  in  1869,  he  commenced  to  hold  services  in  the  Reformed 
church  in  this  borough.  After  these  services  had  been  con- 
tinued for  several  years  a  provisional  organization  was  formed. 
Rev.  Smith  continued  these  services  during  his  pastorate  with 
as  much  regularity  as  circumstances  permitted. 

When  he  resigned,  in  the  spring  of  1873,  Rev.  S.  L.  Har- 
key,  D.  D.,  became  his  successor.  He  also  held  services  in  Mt. 
Pleasant;  but  the  organization  was  not  perfected  till  January  12th, 
1 882, when  a  constitution  was  adopted  and  a  church  council  elected 
composed  of  the  following  persons  :  Jeremiah  Baker,  and  Jo- 
seph Truxal,  deacons,  and  John  H.  Rumbaugh  and  Wm.  F. 
Baker,  trustees.  At  this  meeting,  in  January,  1882,  it  was  de- 
cided to  build  a  church  and  the  council  were  authorized  to  begin 
the  work.  A  suitable  lot,  situated  on  Main  street,  was  pur- 
chased from  Mr.  Joseph  Stoner  for  $850  as  a  site  and  subscrip- 
tions were  solicited  and  work  was  commenced  at  once  on  the 
foundation  ;  but  as  Rev.  Harkey  resigned  in  the  autumn  of  1882, 
the  work  of  building  was  interrupted  till  another  pastor  was 
called. 

In  April,  1882,  Rev.  J.  Sarver  of  Leechburg  was  elected  and 
became  pastor  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish.     During  the  year  of 

1883,  no  work  was  done  on  the  church,  but  early  in  the  spring 
of  1884,  a  move  was  made  to  resume  the  work.  Meanwhile  Rev. 
J.  Sarver,  the  pastor,  had  been  busy  soliciting  subscriptions  for 
the  building  fund  and  had  raised  $3,000.  Messrs.  John  H. 
Rumbaugh,  J.  D.  Baker  and  W.  F.  Baker,  who  had  been  elected 
a  building  committee,  employed  an  architect  to  prepare  plans, 
and  gave  out  a  contract  for  the  building.     On  the  ist  of  August, 

1884,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  church  was  laid,  Rev.  W.  A. 
Passavant,  D.  D.,  assisted  the    pastor    at  these  services.     The 


28o  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCR. 

work  of  finishing  the  church  was  carried  forward  as  rapidly  as 
possible  and  on  the  ist  of  March,  1885,  it  was  completed  and 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God,  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D. 
D.,  assisted  Rev.  Sarver,  on  this  memorable  occasion.  He 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  and  the  pastor  performed  the  act 
of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  neat  brick  building,  gothic  in  style,  34x60 
feet  in  size,  has  a  seating  capacity  for  300  persons  and  cost  $7,000, 
including  the  cost  of  the  lot,  $4,500  of  which  amount  was  paid  at 
the  time  of  the  dedication. 

Rev.  Sarver  continued  his  labors  in  this  field  with  good  suc- 
cess till  in  the  autumn  of  1886,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  a 
New  Mission  in  Hazelton,  Kansas.  He  baptized  a  number  of 
children,  and  added  members  by  confiimation  and  letters  of 
transfer,  and  had  a  communicant  membership  of  40  at  the  close 
of  his  pastorate. 

In  1885  the  churches  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish  united  with 
the  Pittsburg  Synod  on  a  letter  of  dismission  from  the  District 
Synod  of  Ohio.  After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  a  long 
vacancy  occurred  through  which  Trinity  church  suffered  serious 
loss. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1888,  Rev.  J.  R.  Groff  became  pastor 
of  this  parish.  He  conducted  services  in  Trinity  church  once 
every  Sunday  and  performed  all  necessary  ministerial  acts.  He 
continued  his  work  in  this  field  till  the  spring  of  1891,  when  he 
accepted  a  call  from  a  church  at  Doylestown,  Pa.  At  the  close 
of  his  pastorate  he  reported  31  infant  baptisms,  24  confirma- 
tions, and  eight  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  a  com- 
municant membership  of  55. 

Soon  after  his  resignation  Rev.  C.  1,.  Holloway  of  Delmont, 
Pa. ,  was  called,  and  was  installed  pastor  on  the  13th  of  June, 
i8gi.  He  conducted  services  every  L,ord's  Day,  as  his  predeces- 
sor had  done.  When  he  resigned,  in  the  autumn  of  1896,  to  ac- 
cept a  call  from  a  church  at  Monaca,  he  reported  :  43  infant  bap- 
tisms, 29  confirmations  and  35  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  a 
loss  of  six  by  death  and  35  by  removal,  and  a  communicant  mem- 
bership of  76. 


wgM 

^^p  -HSk  ^^  p^B 

^ 

A.  M.  STRAUSS. 


V.  B.  CHRISTY. 


^ 

1 

1 

• 

I.  R.  GROFF. 


A.  P.  PFI.UEGER. 


B.  F.  HANKEY. 


1.  TELLEEN 


ii^„n--jFig;;^SiTe?Si,£i5^'2!^i!l^'^ 


PEiNN   CHURCH,   PF.NN  STATION. 


:J"mS5r*fe:*«-: 


J.  A.  SCHEFFF.I^ 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    MT.    PI^EASANT,    PA.  28I 

In  June,  1S97,  Rev.  Herbert  Martens  was  called  and  became 
the  successor  of  Rev.  Holloway.  He  held  one  service  on  every 
Sunday,  but  it  was  generally  in  the  afternoon  or  evening.  This 
congregation  will  never  prosper  under  this  arrangement.  More 
frequent  morning  services  are  required  to  make  it  a  success. 

In  the  autumn  of  1900  Rev.  Martens  resigned  and  accepted 
a  call  from  the  Home  Mission  Board  to  a  church  in  Salt 
I^ake  City,  Utah.  He  made  the  following  report  of  his  work  in 
this  congregation  during  his  pastorate  of  three  years :  He  bap- 
tized 34  children  ;  received  25  into  full  membership  by  the  rite  of 
confirmation,  and  28  by  letters  of  transfer ;  had  a  loss  of  six  by 
death,  five  by  removal,  and  had  a  membership  of  no. 

In  June,  1901,  Rev.  W.  R.  Swickard  was  called  and  became 
pastor  of  this  parish  on  the  ist  of  July.  He  has  made  a  good 
beginning,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  his  pastorate 
will  be  a  success. 

Trinity  Church  has  a  Sunday  School  which  numbers  60 
scholars  and  six  teachers.  The  present  officers  are  :  John  H. 
Rumbaugh,  superintendent ;  John  Sowers,  secretary,  and  Miss 
Blanch  Moyer,  organist.  It  has  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  is 
doing  a  good  work  in  the  congregation.  The  present  officers 
are  Mrs.  Susan  Haj^  president;  Mrs.  Annie  Friedline,  vice  presi- 
dent ;  Mrs.  Idella  Hunter,  secretary  and  Mrs.  Susanna  Treber, 
treasurer. 

The  present  church  council  are  :  George  King,  Amos.  R. 
Rumbaugh,  Henry  Treber  and  Isaac  Stoner,  deacons ;  John  H. 
Rumbaugh  and  Samuel  Fox,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors :  Rev.  Enoch  Smith,  1869-1873  before  per- 
manent organization,  Rev.  S.  L.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  from  organiza- 
tion till  1882  :  Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver,  D.  D.,  April  1883  to  Nov. 
1886;  Rev.  J.  R.  Groff,  April,  1886  to  April,  1891  ;  Rev.  C.  L. 
Holloway,  Nov,  1891  to  Nov.  1896;  Rev.  Herbert  Martens, 
June,  1897  to  Nov.  1900;  Rev.  W.  R.  Swickard,  July,  1901  to 
the  preset  time. 


282  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 


XXXIII.     ZION'S    MEMORIAI.    EVANGELICAI. 

LUTHERAN  CHURCH,  JUMONVILI.E, 

FAYETTE  COUNTY,  PA. 

After  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  had  been  in  charge  of  the  Soldiers' 
Orphans'  School,  in  Uniontown,  for  several  years,  a  request 
came  from  a  Lutheran  living  at  Dunbar  Camp,  on  the  mountain, 
to  come  ai:d  preach  in  a  school  house  near  that  place,  which  was 
cheerfull}'  done,  and  this  resulted  in  other  appointments  and  led 
to  the  purchase  of  the  Dunbar  Camp,  and  the  removal  of  the 
school  to  this  place  in  1874.  These  services  in  the  school  house 
were  continued  till  arrangements  were  made  to  hold  services  in 
the  school  building  at  Jumonville.  There  was  an  increasinf^ 
interest  in  these  services  on  part  of  the  citizens  living  in  the 
vicinity,  as  well  as  on  part  of  the  persons  connected  with  the 
school,  but  there  was  a  lack  of  a  suitable  place  to  hold  them. 
Therefore  Rev.  Waters  concluded  to  build  a  church  for  the  use 
of  the  scliool  and  community. 

In  tl'.e  spring  of  18S2,  the  building  of  the  church  was  be- 
gun. The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  30th  of  July  by  Rev.  A. 
H.  Waters  with  appropriate  services.  The  work  of  building 
progressed  very  satisfactorily  and  by  fall  the  church  was  fully 
enclosed.  In  the  following  spring  the  work  was  resumed  and 
the  church  was  finished  by  mid-summer,  and  on  the  3d  of  July, 
1883,  it  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  W.  A. 
Passavar.L  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  J.  Q.  Waters  were  present  and  as- 
sisted the  pastor  on  this  interesting  occasion.  The  church  is  a 
substanti.il  stone  building,  32x55  feet  in  size,  gothic  in  style, 
and  neatly  finished  and  fiunished  in  a  becoming  and  churchly 
manner. 

It  cj.st  about  $1,500,  most  of  which  was  paid  by  Rev.  A.  H. 
Waters.  It  was  built  as  a  memorial  in  honor  of  the  heroes  of 
the  Civil  War,  and  for  the  use  of  their  children.  It  is  a  monu- 
men!;  to  patriotism,  as  well  as  a  temple  of  Christian  worship.     It 


zion's  memorial  church,  jumonville,  pa.  283 

has  been  highly  useful  in  the  religious  training  of  the  children  of 
the  school  and  it  is  a  place  to  which  many  of  these  children  will 
look  back  to  with  gratitude  and  pleasure.  Many  have  received 
their  first  religious  impressions  here,  and  many  have  been  trained 
here  for  usefulness  in  the  church  of  Christ  after  they  left  the 
school. 

The  congregation  is  composed  of  the  teachers  and  liclpers,  as 
well  as  the  older  pupils  ot  the  school  and  a  few  citizens,  living 
in  the  vicinity.  It  is  under  the  control  of  the  superintendent 
and  helpers.  Services  are  conducted  every  Sunday,  and  a  good 
Sunday  School  is  carried  on.  The  membership  fluctuates,  as  it 
depends  on  changes  that  occur  in  the  school.  As  the  congrega- 
tion is  peculiar  in  its  make  up,  it  is  unique  in  its  organization. 

The  pastors  that  have  served  it  are  :  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters, 
from  the  year  1874  to  189 1  ;  Rev-  John  A.  Waters  from  1891  to 
the   present,  1902. 


XXXIV.     HOLY  TRINITY  EVANGELICAL  LUTPIKRAN 
CHURCH  DERRY  STATION,  WESTMORE- 
LAND COUNTY,  PENN'A. 

Services  were  held  in  New  Derry  by  Rev.  A.  Babb,  pastor 
of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Blairsville,  as  early  as  1847.  He  and 
his  successors  continued  to  hold  services  here  occasional!}'  till 
1853,  when  a  congregation  was  organized  and  a  plain  frame 
church  was  built.  After  the  boundary  line  between  the  Alle- 
gheny Synod  and  the  Pittsburg  Synod  was  determined,  the 
Blairsville  pastors  discontinued  their  work  here  and  ministers  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod  took  it  up.  Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant,  John 
Welfley,jW.  F.  Ulery,  and  others,  rendered  service  here  before  a 
regular  pastor  was  secured. 


284  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  New  Derry,  Fennelton  and  New 
Alexandria  were  constituted  a  mission  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Renninger 
was  appointed  missionary  ;  he  took  charge  of  this  field  in  the 
spring  of  1863  and  resigned  January  ist,  1864,  to  accept  a  call 
from  a  parish  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania.  Not  long  after  his  res- 
ignation and  removal,  the  congregation  was  united  with  the  I,ig- 
onier  parish  and  was  served  by  its  pastors,  who  succeeded  each 
other  in  the  following  order.  Rev,  D.  Worley,  1865- 1866;  Rev. 
J.  H.  Smith,  1 866-1874  ;  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  1874- 1875  ;  Rev.  H.  L. 
McMurry,  1876- 1882.  This  congregation  made  little  progress  as 
long  as  it  was  located  at  New  Derry,  for  the  field  was  quite  limited. 

When  Rev.  J.  I,.  Smith  became  pastor  of  the  Ligonier  par- 
ish, he  found  that  Derry  Station  was  a  far  more  promising  field 
than  the  town  of  Derry,  and,  therefore,  advised  a  change  of  loca- 
tion. The  question  of  removing  from  New  Derry  to  Derry  Station 
was  thoroughly  discussed,  and  early  in  1883  it  was  decided,  by  an 
almost  unanimous  vote,  to  sell  the  old  church  property  in  New 
Derry  and  build  a  new  church  at  Derry  Station.  After  arrange- 
ments had  been  made  to  carry  out  this  action,  a  few  persons 
raised  objections  against  the  sale  of  the  property,  as  well  as 
against  the  removal  of  the  congregation,  and  had  an  injunction 
served  on  the  trustees  ;  but  the  injunction  was  raised  and  the 
Court  of  Westmoreland  county  decided  that  Trinity  congrega- 
tion, now  located  at  Derry  Station,  is  the  rightful  owner  of  the 
old  church  property  at  New  Derry. 

In  the  face  of  this  decision  of  the  Court  these  persons  have 
persisted  in  breaking  into  the  church  and  using  it  as  if  it  were 
their  property  ;  but  the  trustees  of  Trinity  church  have  refrained 
from  bringing  legal  action  against  them  for  their  violation  of 
law  and  order.  We  are  sorry  to  say  that  here,  as  in  other  cases, 
the  ministers  of  the  General  Synod  have  given  their  encourage- 
ment and  assistance  to  this  unlawful  and  unchristian  work. 

In  the  spring  of  1883,  a  lot  was  purchased  at  Derry  Station, 
from  M.  A.  O.  Cavin,  for  $325,  as  a  site  for  a  church.  A  build- 
ing committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  D.  A.  Mowry,  Will- 
iam Foster,  Jas.  Pahel  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith.  They  at  ontie 
took  steps  to  prepare  for  the  work  of  building.     An  architect 


HOLY  TRINITY   CHURCH    DERRY  STATION,    PA.  285 

was  engaged  to  prepare  plans  and  specifications,  subscriptions 
were  solicited  and  a  contract  for  the  building  let  to  Mr.  George 
Mowry.  On  the  loth  of  Nov,,  1883,  being  the  400th  anniver- 
sary of  Luther's  birth,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  the  pastor 
with  appropriate  services. 

The  work  of  building,  as  well  as  collecting  funds,  was  car- 
ried successfully  forward.  The  building  committee  did  faithful 
work  on  the  ground  and  the  pastor  was  quite  successful  in  so- 
liciting aid  outside  of  the  congregation.  By  the  ist  of  August, 
1884-;  the  church  was  completed,  and  on  the  9th  of  the  same 
month  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Revs.  H.  W. 
R^Jth,  D.  D.,  andj.  K.  Melhorn  assisted  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  the 
pastor,  at  these  impressive  services. 

The  church  is  a  neat,  substantial  frame  building,  33x55  feet 
in'  size  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of  500  to  350  persons.  It  is 
gothic  in  style,  and  is  finished  in  hard  wood  and  very  nicely  fur- 
nished. The  entire  cost  of  building  and  grounds  was  $3,000 
which  was  all  provided  for  on. the  day  of  dedication,  when $1,200 
were  raised.  The  congregation  was  re-organized  in  the  new 
church  and  from  now  on  the  services  were  conducted  here,  and 
the  old  church  at  New  Derry  was  closed.  .- 

Rev.  Dr.  Smith  continued  to  labor  successfully  after  the 
dedication  of  the  church,  holding  services  on  every  alternate 
Sunday.  He  added  many  members  to  the  congregation,  but 
there  were  also  many  removals.  In  the  spring  ot  1892  he  re- 
signed the  Ligonier  parish  and  accepted  a  call  from  Christ 
Evangelical  lyUtheran  churdh,  ■  East  End,  Pittsburg.  He  h?s 
made  the  following  report :  Baptized  55  children  ;  confirmed  48 
adults ;  added  49  to  the  membership  by  letters  of  transfer ;  had 
a  loss  of  38  by  death  and  removal,  leaving  a  membership  Of  85. 
When  he  resigned  the  Eigonier  parish  was  divided  and  Trinity 
church,  Derry  Station,  was  constituted  a  mission. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1892,  Rev-  George  G.  Ruff,  of  the  Mt. 
Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  was  elected  pastor.  He  accepted 
the  call  soon  afterward  began  his  pastorate  on  the  ist  of  July, 
and  was  installed  on  the  31st  of  the  same  month  by  the  Mission- 
ary President,   assisted  by  Revs.  George  E.  Titzel  and  W.  F. 


286  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

Ulery.  He  began  his  work  with  the  earnestness  and  enthusiasm 
that  is  characteristic  of  a  young  man,  and  rendered  acceptable 
service.  He  devoted  all  his  time  and  labor  to  this  mission.  He 
conducted  services  on  every  L,ord's  day,  morning  and  evening, 
and  also  gave  special  attention  to  the  Sunday  School. 

In  1802  application  was  made  to  have  the  congregation 
chartered,  and  the  charter  was  granted  in  due  time  by  the 
Court,  and  in  1892  a  new  constitution  was  adopted  in  harmony 
with  the  charter. 

A  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  under  the  pastorate  of 
Rev.  Ruff,  which  has  been  quite  an  efficient  help  in  the  financial 
work  of  the  congregation.  Such  a  society,  composed  of  earnest 
and  devoted  women,  will  always  be  a  strong  arm  of  service  in 
the  congregation. 

In  1893  ^  lyUther  League  was  organized,  which  has  held 
regular  meetings.  This  is  also  a  very  useful  society  and  ought 
to  be  organized  in  every  congregation  where  it  is  practicable.  It 
gives  special  work  and  special  means  for  improvement  to  the 
young  members  of  the  congregation. 

Certain  repairs  and  improvements  were  also  made  in  the 
church.  It  was  papered,  painted  and  carpeted,  a  new  heater 
was  purchased,  electric  lights  were  put  in  and  everything  put  into 
good  order. 

Rev.  Ruff  also  held  services  at  Bradenville  and  Hillside  for 
several  years  in  connection  with  his  work  at  Derry  Station.  At 
Bradenville  a  congregation  was  organized  April  15th,  1895,  with 
20  members.  It  was  served  regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday 
afternoon.  Hillside  was  a  preaching  station  where  occasional 
services  were  held. 

Rev.  Ruff  has  made  the  following  report  of  his  work.  He 
baptized  125  children,  added  126  to  the  communicant  member- 
ship by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer ;  had  a 
loss  of  76  by  death  and  removal,  and  a  membership  of  135  at  the 
close  of  his  pastorate.  He  resigned  this  parish  on  the  [st  of 
Sept.,  1899,  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  mission  at  North  East,  Pa. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Ruff,  Rev.  Wilson  Yeisley 
of  Scenery  Hill,  Pa.,  was  called.     He  began  his  work  in  this 


HOI^Y  TRINITY   CHURCH,    DERRY   STATION,    PA.  287 

parish  on  the  i5lh  of  December,  1899,  and  was  regularly  in- 
stalled on  the  4th  of  February,  1900,  by  Rev.  J.  L,.  Smith,  D.  D., 
assisted  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery. 

Rev.  Yeisley  entered  on  his  work  with  an  earnest  purpose 
to  do  his  duty.  Like  his  predecessor  he  conducted  services 
in  Trinity  church,  at  Derry  Station,  on  every  Sunday  morning 
and  evening,  and  in  Zion's  church,  Bradenville,  on  every  alter- 
nate Sunday  afternoon.  His  services  were  quite  acceptable, 
and  his  work  was  crowned  with  a  fair  measure  of  success. 

In  1900,  a  house  was  purchased  for  $2,500  as  a  pastor's 
home.  Arrangements  have  been  made  to  pay  for  this  house  in 
five  annual  payments,  and  until  these  payments  are  all  made  a 
yearly  rental  will  be  paid  by  the  pastor,  this  money  being  ap- 
plied on  the  interest.  Certain  repairs  and  important  improve- 
ments were  made  in  the  church.  New  stained  glass  windows, 
which  are  all  memorial,  were  put  into  the  church.  It  was  hand- 
somely papered  and  painted,  as  well  as  carpeted.  The  entire 
cost  of  these  improvements  was  $350. 

Rev.  Yeisley  found  the  same  discouragements  in  his 
work,  and  the  same  hindrances  to  the  growth  of  the  church,  of 
which  his  predecessor  complained.  Derry  being  a  railroad  town, 
many  of  the  male  members  of  the  congregation  are  railroad  men 
who  are  often,  from  necessity,  absent  from  the  services,  and  are 
prevented  from  performing  important  duties  in  the  church. 
Then  so  many  changes  are  made  that  the  men  hardly  become 
settled  till  they  are  moved  again.  He  made  the  following 
report  for  the  two  years  of  his  pastorate.  He  baptized  33 
children,  confirmed  25  adults,  and  added  17  by  letters  of  trans- 
fer. He  conducted  19  funerals  and  solemnized  six  marages. 
The  losses  were  some  40  by  death  and  removal,  and  there  is 
now  an  effective  membership  of  135.  On  the  13th  of  April  he 
resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  the  Crooked  Creek  parish 
in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  people  of 
the   Derry  parish. 

The  Sunday  School  of  Trinity  church  numbers  145  scholars 
and  twelve  ofl5cers  and  teachers.  It  is  doing  very  good  work, 
considering  the  peculiar  hindrarces  with  whichit  has  to  contend, 


288  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

the  necessary  frequent  absence  of  not  a  few  of  its  best  workers. 
The  present  officers  are :  J.  R.  Mowry,  superintendent ;  H. 
O.  Pahel,  assistant  superintendent ;  Grover  Allison,  secrefary, 
and  Jennie  Pahel,  treasurer. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  had  a  good  record  during 
the  former  pastorate,  has  rendered  valuable  services  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  Yeisley.  It  assisted  the  congregation  in  its 
financial  straits,  and  also  did  acts  of  charity.  These  noble  wo- 
men provided  the  money  to  pay  for  the  important  repairs  and 
improvements  that  were  recently  made  in  the  church.  To  do 
this  they  not  only  worked  hard  to  earn  and  solicit  money,  but 
some  of  them  made  great  personal  sacrifices.  The  officers  for 
this  year  are :  Mrs.  Allison,  Mrs.  Yeisley  and  Mrs.  Mahan. 

The  church  council  are  :  Henry  Sipe,  treasurer ;  S.  L. 
Newmyer,  secretary;  H.  J.  Lohr,  Emanuel  E.  Wagner,  George 
Armor,  Saul  Spangler,  D.  A.  Mowry  and  J.  R.  Mowry. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  J.  E.  Smith,  D.  D.,  1882-1892  ;  Rev. 
Geo.  G.  Ruff,  1892-1899;  Rev. Wilson  Yeisley,  1899  to  April,  1902. 


V«,»J   luiO'fiw 


XXXV.     SAINT    PAUL'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  UNIONTOWN,  PENNSYLVANIA.     *' .:   ■ 

When  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  removed  to  Uniontown,  in  1866, 
to  take  charge  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  School,  he  found  only  one 
Lutheran  family  in  the  town.  This  family  was  there  alone  for  a 
number  of  years,  yet  remained  true  to  their  own  church  in  the 
hope  that  in  the  not  distant  future,  they  would  see  a  Lutheran 
church  in  Uniontown.  They  were  strengthened  in  this  belief  by 
the  presence  of  Rev.  Waters  and  his  family.  By  and  by  others 
came,  who  were  encouraged  by  those  already  here,  to  hold  to- 
gether till  a  Lutheran  congregation  could  be  organized. 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    UNIONTOWN,    PA.  289 

Early  in  the  eighties  the  prospect  brightened  and  these  few 
faithful  people  felt  encouraged  that  their  long  cherished  hopes 
would  soon  be  realized.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod 
in  1885,  special  attention  was  called  to  Uniontown  as  a  good  mis- 
sion field.  After  due  consideration  of  the  importance  and  needs 
of  the  field,  a  mission  was  laid  out  and  Rev.  John  A.  Waters 
was  appointed  the  missiouar}'  pastor.  Immediately  afcer  the 
meeting  of  the  sj^nod,  he  began  his  work  in  this  field.  He  can- 
vassed the  town  to  ascertain  how  many  Lutheran  people  were  in 
it,  and  to  find  what  material  he  had  to  work  with  in  his  efforts 
to  begin  to  build  up  a  IvUtheran  church. 

He  began  to  hold  services  on  every  Sunday  in  a  rented  hall 
and  was  quite  encouraged  by  the  attendance.  The  work  grew 
in  interest  and  in  influence  week  by  week,  as  new  people  at- 
tended the  services  on  every  Lord's  Day. 

On  the  1 8th  of  December,  1885,  a  congregation  was  organ- 
ized with  41  members.  A  constitution  was  adopted,  and  the 
following  named  persons  were  elected  as  the  first  church  council  : 
George  Browner,  Henry  Lape,  J.  Harry  Johnston  and  M.  D. 
Baker,  deacons  ;  and  Amos  Pickard,  Ira  Partridge,  John  Reich- 
wein  and  Quincy  Partridge,  trustees.  As  soon  as  the  council  was 
installed,  action  was  taken  looking  toward  the  building  of  a 
church.  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  had  purchased  a  very  desirable  lot 
a  few  years  before  this  on  Gallatin  avenue  for  $1,500,  which  he 
was  holding  as  a  site  for  a  Lutheran  church.  The  lot,  which  is 
55x120  feet,  with  a  small  house  on  the  rear  end  of  it,  he  now 
conveyed  to  the  trustees  of  St.  Paul's  church  at  cost,  though  it 
had  greatly  increased  in  value.  The  council,  who  were  also  the 
building  committee,  appointed  a  committee  to  solicit  subscrip- 
tions, engaged  an  architect  to  prepare  a  plan  and  specifications, 
and  moved  forward  in  the  matter  of  building  as  fast  as  circum- 
stances permitted. 

On  the  3d  of  Jan.,  1886,  a  Sunday  School  was  organized 
with  20  persons,  which  was  conducted  regularly  under  the  effi- 
cient management  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Waters.  There  was  also  an 
encouraging  increase  in  the  membership  of  the  congregation,  for 


290  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

at  the  next  meeting  of  the  synod,   Rev.   Waters  reported  a  com- 
municant membership  of  59. 

After  the  first  year,  the  services  were  held  in  the  pubhc 
school  building,  till  the  church  was  completed.  In  the  spring  of 
1887,  the  contract  for  the  building  of  the  church  was  given  out, 
and  the  work  progressed  very  successfully.  On  the  24th  of  July 
the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  becoming  services.  Rev.  W.  A. 
Passavant,  D.  D. ,  and  A.  H.  Waters  assisted  the  pastor  at  these 
services. 

Early  in  April,  1888,  the  church  was  completed,  and  ar- 
rangements were  made  for  its  dedication.  On  the  29lh  of  the 
same  month,  the  feast  of  the  dedication  was  celebrated.  Rev. 
Jacob  Fry,  D.  D. ,  of  Reading,  Pa.,  preached  the  dedicatory  dis- 
course and  Eev.  Alfred  Ramsey  assisted  the  pastor  in  the  service 
of  consecration.  The  church  is  a  handsome  brick  building, 
gothic  in  style,  45x65  feet  in  size,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  for 
400  persons.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  including  the  price 
of  the  lot,  was  $8,768. 

After  the  completion  of  the  church  the  congregation  was 
much  encouraged  and  strengthened,  and  Rev.  Waters  continued 
to  labor,  with  an  increasing  measure  of  success,  till  October  ist, 
1890,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  the 
Soldiers'  Orphans'  School,  which  his  father  had  recently  re- 
signed. Soon  after  his  resignation  Rev.  Alfred  Ramsey  was 
e^'ected  to  take  charge  of  this  mission.  On  the  12th  of  October, 
1890,  he  took  up  the  work  where  his  predecessor  had  left  it,  and 
endeavored  to  carrj^  forward  what  had  been  so  well  begun.  He 
preached  the  Word  and  administered  the  Holy  Sacraments,  and 
faithfully  performed  all  pastoral  work,  but  circumstances  were 
not  favorable  to  large  success  in  building  up  the  congregation. 
During  his  pastorate  there  was  a  great  financial  stress  and  depres- 
sion in  business  in  this  section  of  the  country,  and,  hence,  there 
were  many  removals.  Therefore,  there  was  no  increase  in  the 
membership,  but  rather  a  falling  off,  for  a  number  of  years. 

On  the  ist  of  April,  1896,  Rev.  Ramsey  resigned  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  St.  John's  church,  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  aud 
on    the    14th  of  June  following,  Rev.  G.  J.  Gongaware  became 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    UNIONTOWN,    PA.  29 1 

pastor  and  served  it  for  five  years  and  four  months.  He  minis- 
tered to  the  congregation  on  every  Sunday,  morning  and  evening, 
and  faithfully  performed  all  such  other  duties  as  are  required  of 
a   devoted  Christian  pastor. 

Soon  after  Rev.  Gongaware  became  pastor  a  desire  was  ex- 
pressed to  make  some  needed  repairs,  as  well  as  some  important 
improvements  in  the  church.  They  found  a  ready  and  efficient 
helper  in  the  new  pastor  in  these  contemplated  improvements. 
In  July,  1896,  a  meeting  was  called  to  decide  what  repairs  and 
improvements  were  to  be  made,  and  to  make  arrangements  to 
have  the  work  done  and  the  furniture  ordered.  It  was  decided 
to  have  the  church  frescoed,  painted  and  re-carpeted,  and  procure 
a  full  set  of  chancel  furniture,  namely,  an  altar,  a  lecturn,  a  bap- 
tismal font  and  vestments. 

The  repairs  were  all  completed  and  all  the  chancel  furniture 
ready  by  the  ist  of  October,  and  on  the  first  Sunday  of  that 
month  the  church  was  re-opened,  and  the  new  furniture,  the 
altar,  lecturn  and  baptismal  font,  as  well  as  the  vestments,  were 
all  in  their  proper  places  and  were  consecrated  by  the  pastor, 
assisted  by  Revs.  J.  A.  Waters  and  Alfred  Ramsey,  former 
pastors.  During  the  entire  pastorate  of  Re\ .  Gongaware  the 
congregation  had  a  steady  growth  in  numbers  and  strength,  and 
has  been  self-sustaining  since  August,   1898. 

When  the  decision  was  made  by  the  congregation  to  become 
a  self-sustaining  parish,  a  resolution  was  passed  thanking  the 
Pittsburg  Synod  for  its  kind  assistance  in  their  time  of  need. 
On  the  28th  of  February,  1900,  by  a  self-sacrificing  effort,  on 
part  of  the  members,  the  last  mortgage  of  $1,500  was  cancelled, 
and  consigned  to  the  flames,  amid  the  rejoicings  of  the  congre- 
gation. Beneath  the  silver  bowl  in  the  baptismal  font  may  be 
found  the  remains  of  this  mortgage,  which  had  been  a  great 
cross  for  the  members  to  bear,  but  without  it  they  would  not 
now  be  the  possessors  of  this  beautiful  church.  The  congrega- 
tion is  now  free  from  debt,  harmonious  and  in  good  working 
condition,  and  has  a  bright  outlook  for  the  future. 

On  the  ist  of  October,  1901,  Rev.  Gongaware  resigned  and 
accepted   a   position   as   English  Professor   in   the   Greensburg 


292  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Seminary,  and  on  the  15th  of  the  same  month  he  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Earnest  A.  Trabert.  He  has  begun  his  work  and  is  build- 
ing on  the  foundation  laid  by  his  predecessors.  His  services  are 
acceptable  and  promise  success.  The  Lord's  Day,  as  well  as  the 
mid-week  services,  are  regularly  conducted  and  are  well  attended. 

The  Sunday  School,  the  I,adies'  Aid  Society  and  the  Luther 
League  are  all  doing  successful  work.  The  Sunday  School  was 
organized  soon  after  the  congregation  came  into  existence  and 
has  grown  up  with  it  as  a  part  of  the  same  organization.  It  is 
now  in  a  prosperous  condition.  It  has  a  staff  of  five  oflScers,  14 
teachers,  and  140  scholars.  It  is  organized  on  the  advanced 
plan  of  Graded  Lessons.  The  present  officers  are:  Rev.  E.  A. 
Trabert,  superintendent  ;  M.  D.  Baker,  assistant  superintendent; 
D.  Guy  Johnston,  secretary  ;  Miss  Fannie  Hocheimer,  treasurer, 
and  Scott  Bierbower,  librarian. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  was  organized  during  the 
pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Waters,  has  now  30  members  and  has  a 
very  creditable  history,  and  is  worthy  of  honorable  mention.  It 
has  been  a  regular  contributor  to  the  mission  work  and  the  or- 
phan cause,  has  assisted  the  poor  of  the  town,  and  has  rendered 
valuable  services  in  the  financial  work  of  the  congregation  in 
making  important  repairs,  as  well  as  in  the  cancelling  the  debt 
resting  on  the  church.  The  ladies  of  this  society  made  a  spec- 
ialty of  making  altar  and  pulpit  vestments  and  did  much  to  bring 
these  to  the  notice  of  the  congregations  of  our  conference.  We 
commend  their  zeal.  The  present  officers  are  :  Mrs.  Margaret 
Baird,  president ;  Miss  Lora  Baker,  secretary,  and  Miss  Fannie 
Hocheimer,  treasurer. 

The  Luther  League  is  a  useful  and  promising  organization 
in  any  congregation  ;  deserves  to  be  popular  and  invites  the 
regular  attendance  of  our  3'oung  people,  for  it  is  intended  and 
calculated  to  do  them  good.  The  present  officers  are :  Scott 
Bierbower,  president ;  Miss  Stella  Keener,  secretary,  and  Miss 
Nettie  VanGilder,  treasurer. 

The  Junior  League  is  also  in  evidence  in  this  congregation 
and  doing  excellent  work.  Miss  Elizabeth  Baird,  is  president ; 
Katherine   Young,  secretary,    and  George  Johnson,   treasurer. 


ST.    JOHN'S   CHURCH,    UNIONTOWN,    PA.  293 

Rev.  Trabert  has  organized  another  society  in  the  congregation 
which  he  calls  "The  Brotherhood"  whose  special  aim  is  to  en- 
courage the  co-operation  of  young  men  in  church  work,  and  to 
develope  and  consecrate  their  talents  to  the  church.  Under  the 
auspices  of  this  society  a  parish  paper  is  edited  and  managed. 
This  is  a  new  departure,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  will  be  a 
success.  A  parish  paper,  when  well  conducted,  is  a  most 
effective  and  useful  organ  in  the  congregation,  and  may  be  the 
means  of  assisting  the  pastor  in  his  work,  and  of  stimulating  the 
members  of  the  church  to  do  their  duty. 

Here  is  another  illustration  what  may  be  done  by  a  few  peo- 
ple with  faithful  persevering  efforts.  There  was  at  first  only  one 
family  here  (  the  Baker  family  ).  Later  others  came  and  joined 
them.  These  formed  the  nucleus  of  this  congregation.  When 
people  love  the  church,  are  properly  organized,  have  good  lead- 
ers and  have  a  mind  to  work,  a  small  band  may  accomplish  great 
things. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  our  beloved  brother,  Rev.  Asa  H. 
Waters,  for  his  counsel  and  aid  in  accomplishing  this  work.  The 
faithful  labors  of  Rev.  John  A.  Waters  are  also  worthy  of  men- 
tion. He  began  with  41  members.  During  his  pastorate  he 
baptized  81  children,  confirmed  49  adults  and  added  42  to  the 
communicant  membership  by  letters  of  transfer,  had  a  loss  of 
eight  by  death  and  32  by  removal,  leaving  a  membership  of  92 
at  the  close  of  his  pastorate.  His  successor,  Rev.  Alfred  Ramsey, 
baptized  75  children,  confirmed  41  adults  and  added  25  by  letters 
of  transfer,  had  a  loss  of  five  by  death  and  47  by  removal,  leav- 
ing a  membership  of  106. 

Rev.  G.  J.  Gongaware,  baptized  120  infants,  received  88  by 
the  rite  of  confirmation  and  70  by  letters  of  transfer,  had  a  loss 
of  58  by  death  and  removal,  and  a  communicant  membership  of 
214  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate. 

Rev.  Earnest  Anton  Trabert,  the  present  pastor,  who  has 
been  only  a  few  months  in  this  new  field,  has  not  had  time  to 
make  many  additions.  He  has  reported  seven  infant  baptisms, 
two  adult  baptisms,  four  funerals  and  one  marriage  ceremony. 


294  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

The  present  church  council  are  :  Michael  D.  Baker,  John 
H.  VanGilder,  J.  W.  llartman,  J.  Harry  Johnston  and  Fred- 
erick Hafer. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  John  A.  Waters,  1885,  to  Oct.,  1890  ; 
Rev.  Alfred  Ramsey,  Oct.,  1890,  to  April,  1896  ;  Rev.  George  J. 
Gongaware,  June,  1896  to  Oct.,  1901  ;  Rev.  Earnest  Anton  Tra- 
bert,  Oct.,  1901,  to  the  present. 


XXXVI.     ZION'S    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  HARRISON  CITY,  WEST- 
MORELAND COUNTY,  PA. 

Harrison  City  had  been  a  preaching  station  for  several  years 
before  any  attempt  was  made  to  effect  au  organization.  Early 
in  1887  Rev  Charles  S.  Seaman  became  pastor  of  Brush  Creek 
and  Adamsburg  parish.  He  began  to  hold  services  here,  and 
Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway  of  Delmont,  did  the  same,  as  both  had 
members  living  in  or  near  this  place. 

By  mutual  agreement  Rev.  Seaman  took  charge  of  this 
point,  and  on  the  13th  of  March,  1887,  he  organized  a  congrega- 
tion with  50  members,  under  the  title  of  "Zion's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church  of  Harrison  City."  A  constitution  was  adopted 
and  the  following  persons  chosen  as  the  first  church  council  : 
Michael  Holtzer,  Louis  W.  Gongaware.  Michael  Portzer.  John  J. 
Altman,  Jolni  H.  Kuhns  and  Wm.  I.  Shuster. 

Rev.  C.  L.  Holloway  assisted  in  supplying  the  congregation 
till  June,  1888,  when  Rev.  Chas.  S.  Seaman  was  elected  as  the 
regular  pastor.  In  April,  1887,  a  move  was  made  to  build  a 
church.  A  building  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
Lewis  Wanamaker,  Michael  Holtzer,  Louis  Gongaware,  John  J. 
Altman  and  Wm.  I.  Shuster.     A  lot  was  purchased  as  a  site, 


ZION's   church,    HARRISON   CITY,    PA.  295 

subscriptions  were  solicited,  a  plan  adopted  and  the  contract  for 
its  erection  let  to  Lewis  Bott  of  Greensburg,  Pa. 

The  work  of  building  was  begun  at  once,  and  on  the  24th  of 
September  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  appropriate  services. 
Revs.  Chas.  S.  Seaman,  C.  L.  HoUoway,  J.  C.  Kunzmann  and 
E.  G.  lyUnd  were  present  and  took  part  in  these  services.  The 
finishing  of  the  church  was  carried  forward  as  fast  as  circum- 
stances permitted,  and  by  the  ist  of  June,  1888,  it  was  com- 
pleted, and  on  the  loth  of  the  same  month  is  was  solemnly  set 
apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  Kuuzmann  preached  the 
dedication  sermon,  and  Rev.  Seaman,  the  pastor,  performed  the 
act  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  plain,  but  neat,  frame  building,  with  base- 
ment and  belfry ;  40x60  feet  in  size,  and  has  a  seating  capacity 
for  300  to  350  persons.  It  is  substantially  built,  well  finished  and 
nicely  furnished,  and  is  churchly  in  all  its  appointments.  It  is 
heated  by  a  furnace,  and  is  well  lighted  by  a  Bailey  Reflector. 
Its  entire  cost,  including  the  price  of  the  lot,  was  $3,500,  which 
was  all  provided  for. 

After  the  consecration  of  the  church  Rev.  Seaman  continued 
his  work,  with  increased  energy  and  success,  till  September,  1889. 
when  it  pleased  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  to  summon  him 
to  his  reward. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  Rev.  Seaman  this  congregation  was 
united  with  the  Jeannette  Mission  as  a  parish,  and  on  the  15th 
of  November,  1889,  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman  was  appointed  mis- 
sionary and  thus  became  pastor  of  this  congregation.  He  held 
services  in  this  church  on  every  alternate  Sunday.  His  services 
were  quite  acceptable  to  the  congregation,  and  his  work  was  also 
successful.  He  served  this  church  till  the  autumn  of  1893, 
when  he  resigned  to  devote  more  time  to  Jeannette  Mission. 
Not  long  after  his  resignation,  Rev.  G.  J.  Diener  of  Middle  Lan- 
caster, Butler  county,  was  called.  He  accepted  in  December, 
1893,  and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1894,  ^^  took  charge  of  Zion's 
church,  Harrison  City,  in  connection  with  St.  John's  Bouquet, 
which  had  been  constituted  a  parish,  and  was  installed  by  the 
president    of    the    synod.     He    served    this    parish    faithfully, 


296  SOUTHKRN   CONFERENCE. 

preaching  in  each  church  on  every  Lord's  Day,  and  holding  com- 
munion services  four  times  a  j'ear. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1901,  he  resigned,  intending  to  take 
a  rest.  St.  John's,  Bouquet,  accepted  his  resignation,  but 
Zion's,  Harrison  City,  declined  to  accept,  and  he  continued  his 
pastorate  in  this  congregation.  lyater,  by  mutual  agreement  of 
the  two  congregations,  and  with  approval  of  the  Southern  Con- 
ference, the  relation  existing  between  them,  as  one  parish,  was 
dissolved,  and  each  has  become  a  separate  parish.  Smce 
January  the  ist,  1901,  Rev.  G.  J.  Diener  has  been  pastor  of 
Zion's  church  alone,  and  has  devoted  all  his  time  and  services  to 
this  congregation. 

During  Rev.  Diener' s  pastorate  a  number  of  changes  and 
improvements  have  been  made  in  the  church.  The  basement 
has  been  finished  and  nicely  fitted  up  for  a  lecture  and  Sunday 
School  room ;  the  church  handsomely  frescoed,  painted  and 
carpeted ;  a  fine  new  ceiling  put  into  it,  as  well  as  beautiful 
stained  glass  windows,  and  an  organ  platform  built  for  the  use 
of  the  choir.  The  church  has  also  been  painted  on  the  outside 
and  a  slate  roof  put  on.  These  repairs  and  improvements  were 
made  at  an  expense  of  fully  $500,  which  has  all  been  paid. 

Zion's  church  has  a  prosperous  Sunday  School,  whose  his- 
tory runs  parallel  with  that  of  the  congregation.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  present  pastorate  it  numbered  about  30  scholars,  and 
a  corresponding  force  of  teachers,  now  it  has  a  staff  of  10  officers 
and  teachers  and  100  scholars.  It  is  organized  on  the  ad- 
vanced, plan  of  Graded  Lessons,  and  uses  the  literature  of  the 
General  Council  Publication  Board. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1892.  Its  aim  is 
to  aid  the  Sunday  School,  as  well  as  to  work  for  the  genera] 
good  of  the  congregation.  It  is  the  testimony  of  the  pastor  that 
this  society  has  been  very  successful  in  its  work.  It  has  con- 
tributed liberally  to  the  repairs  and  improveme^its  that  have  re- 
cently been  made,  and  has  also  contributed  to  other  objects, 
missions  and  the  orphan  cause.  The  present  officers  are  :  Mrs. 
George  J.  Diener,  president  ;  Mrs.  W.  I.  Shuster,  vice  president, • 
Mrs.  P.  J.  Kline,  treasurer,  and  Miss  Ida  J.  Fink,  secretary. 


ISAAC     O.     BAKEK. 


SAINT     .I(iHX'> 


ALTSHUKG. 


I".     M.     KICMEKKR 


.I'lHX     ;<.     >ff;iJi()i;N. 


WJLLI-     l'.i:i'K. 


W.     A.     I.AMHKiri, 


CHRIST   GRRMAN   CHURCH,    JEANNETTE,    PA.  297 

The  present  church  council  are  :  Rev.  George  J.  Diener, 
pastor  and  president  of  the  council ;  M.  J.  Fink,  D.  C.  Fink, 
M.  R.  Portzer,  Oliver  Portzer,  William  Kohl  and  Samuel  Steffy, 
deacons ;  P.  J.  Kline  and  Charles  Holtzer,  trustees. 

Rev.  Diener  has  reported  :  60  infant  baptisms,  48  confirma- 
tions, 29  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  nine  deaths,  17  re- 
ttiovnls,  and  a  membership  of  130. 

L,ist  of  pastors  :  Rev.  Charles  S.  Seaman,  March,  1887  to 
1889;  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman,  Nov.,  1889  10  Nov.,  1893; 
Rev.  George  J.  Diener,  Jan.,  1894  to  the  present. 


XXXVII.     CHRIST  GERMAN  EVANGELICAI.  LUTHER- 
AN CHURCH,  JEANNETTE,  PENN'A. 

Early  in  1889  services  were  began  in  Jeannelte  by  Rev.  Chas. 
Mildner,  and  were  held  regularly.  In  July  of  the  same  year  a 
congregation  was  organized  with  20  members,  and  a  church 
council  elected  and  installed.  A  constitution  was  adopted  in 
harmony  with  the  doctrinal  basis  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. 

Soon  after  the  organization  two  valuable  lots  on  Second 
street,  40x120  feet  each,  were  secured  as  a  donation  from  the 
Land  Improvement  company,  as  a  site  for  a  German  Lutheran 
church.  A  building  committee  was  appointed  who  solicited  sub- 
scriptions, procured  plans  and  specifications,  and  let  the  contract 
for  the  building  of  the  church.  The  work  of  building  was 
promptly  begun  and  carried  successfully  forward,  and  by  the  ist 
of  November  the  stone  work  of  the  basement  was  finished,  and 
on  the  17th  of  the  same  month  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
joyous  and  impressive  services.  Rev.  J.  Guadian  assisted  the 
pastor   at   these   services.     The  work   was  continued  with  due 


298  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

diligence  and  by  the  rst  of  April,  1890,  the  church  was  finished, 
and  on  Easter,  April  13th,  it  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God 
with  appropriate  services.  Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  Ivan  Dietrich  were  present  and  assisted  Rev.  Mildner  on 
this  occasion. 

The  church  is  a  plain  frame  building,  gothic  in  style,  32x48 
feet  in  size,  with  a  basement,  and  has  a  tower  at  the  southeast 
corner,  about  ten  feet  square  and  50  feet  high,  in  which  hangs  a 
good  bell.  It  is  neatly  finished  and  furnished,  and  is  churchly 
in  all  its  appointments.     Its  entire  cost  was  about  $1,200. 

In  1890  Rev.  Mildner  resigned  and  Rev.  John  Kowala  be- 
came his  successor,  who  conducted  services  on  every  Sunday. 
He  also  had  a  parochial  school  during  his  pastorate.     In  August, 

1 89 1,  when  he  resigned,  he  made  the  following  report  of  his 
work :  He  baptized  six  children,  confirmed  1 1  adults,  added 
three  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  a  membership  of  50  com- 
municants.    There  was  a  vacancy  after  his  resignation  till  April, 

1892,  during  which  time  Rev.  Mildner  supplied  the  congregation. 
On  the  15th  of  April,  1892,  Rev.  John  Schubert  took  charge 

and  supplied  this  congregation  regularly  till  March,  1894,  when 
he  accepted  a  call  from  the  German  Lutheran  church  at  McKee's 
Rocks,  Allegheny  county.  Pa.  He  reported  18  infant  baptisms, 
five  confirmations,  and  21  additions  by  letters  of  transfer  ;  a  loss 
of  13  by  death  and  removal,  and  a  membership  of  80.  Rev.  F. 
L.  Deitrich  supplied  it  for  several  months  after  his  resignation. 
In  the  summer  of  1894  Rev.  John  A.  Kowala  was  again 
elected  pastor  and  served  till  April,  1896.  He  reported  seven 
baptisms,  and  several  additions  by  letters  of   transfer. 

In  May,  1896,  Rev.  George  Dietz  was  called.  He  became 
pastor,  and  was  installed  on  the  7th  of  June,  by  Rev.  F,  W,  E. 
Peschau,  D.  D.,  of  Greensburg.  He  served  this  congregation 
on  every  alternate  Sundaj'^,  in  connection  with  the  German  Luth- 
eran church  at  McDonald,  Pa.,  till  October,  1901.  Since  that 
time  Christ  church,  Jeannette,  has,  with  the  approval  of  the 
Southern  Conference,  become  a  separate  parish  which  enjoys 
all  the  time  and  service  of  its  pastor.  Rev.  Dietz  conducts 
a  parochial  school  during  the  three  months  of  summer,  and  on 


CHRIST   GERMAN   CHURCH,    JEANNETTE,    PA.  299 

every  Saturday  during  the  rest  of  the  year.  Shortly  before  he 
became  pastor  of  the  congregation,  a  move  was  made  by  a  num- 
ber of  the  members  to  sell  the  church,  and  disband  the  congrega- 
tion. When  he  began  his  work,  there  were  only  18  families 
who  contributed  to  the  support  of  the  congregation,  but  he  has 
revived  an  interest  in  the  church,  has  built  it  up  and  strength- 
ened it ;  60  families  are  now  connected  with  the  congregation, 
making  a  membership  of  about  200.  He  has  baptized  72  chil- 
dren ;  added  26  to  the  communicant  membership  by  the  rite  of 
confirmation  ;  several  by  the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellowship. 
He  has  solemnized  eight  marriages  and  conducted  20  funerals. 

During  his  pastorate,  $400  have  been  paid  on  the  church 
debt ;  $100  for  a  new  heater  ;  $40  for  street  paving,  and  $80  for 
a  new  bell,  which  was  consecrated  in  July,  1899.  In  September, 
1898,  the  congregation  began  the  building  of  a  parsonage  on  a 
lot  alongside  of  the  church,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid 
on  the  1 8th  of  October.  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau  assisted  the 
pastor  at  the  services  on  this  glad  occasion.  The  work  of 
building  was  pushed  so  vigorously  that  on  February  ist,  1899, 
the  house  was  finished,  and  four  days  later  it  was  set  apart  with 
religious  services  as  a  pastor's  home,  Rev.  Frank  S.  Beistel  as- 
sisting the  pastor  on  this  joj'ous  occasion.  The  house  is  a  neat 
two-story  frame  building  with  six  rooms,  a  good  cellar  and  attic, 
and  makes  a  comfortable  home  for  the  pastor  and  his  family. 
The  cost  of  the  house,  not  counting  the  work  donated,  was 
$1,250.  The  property  of  the  congregation,  including  the  church 
and  parsonage,  is  worth  at  least  $4,500.  A  small  debt  still  rests 
upon  the  church,  but  the  parsonage  is  unencumbered. 

The  congregation  has  a  Sunday  School  of  70  scholars,  of 
which  Rev.  Dietz  is  the  superintendent  and  principal  teacher. 
He  is  assisted  by  three  or  four  of  the  members.  The  literature 
of  the  General  Council  Publication  Board  is  used  in  the  school. 
The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  several  years  ago, 
with  27  members,  and  has  done  useful  service.  Its  efforts,  so 
far,  have  been  devoted  mainly  to  the  interest  of  the  congrega- 
tion, but  it  also  works  for  and  contributes  to  objects  of  benevo- 
ence.    Its  present  officers  are:  Mrs.  Frederick  Wolfram,  president; 


300  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

Mrs.  George  Dietz,  secretary  ;  Mrs.  Fichtner,  treasurer.  The 
Young  Peoples'  Society,  which  has  fifteen  members,  meets  ever}- 
Sunday  evening  for  devotional  services  and  religious   culture. 

The  present  church  council  are  :  Rev.  Dietz,  pastor  and 
president  of  the  council  ;  Frederick  Wolfram,  William  Spille,  W. 
J.  Fichtner,  Frederick  Meyer,  John  Kottmann,  Jacob  Gaut, 
Karl  Stock  and  Charles  Messner. 

List  of  pastors:  Rev.  Charles  Mildner,  1 889-1 890  ;  Rev. 
John  Kowala,  1 890-1 891  ;  A  vacancy  filled  by  Rev.  Charles 
Mildner  in  1891;  Rev.  John  Schubert,  April,  1892  to  March, 
1894  ;  Rev.  F.  L,.  Dietrich,  supplied  in  1894  ;  Rev.  John  Kowala, 
1 894- 1 896  ;  Rev.  George  Dietz,  May,    1896  to  the  present  time. 


XXXVIII.     SAINT  PAUL'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  DARLINGTON,  WESTMORE- 
LAND, COUNTY,  PENN'A. 

In  January,  1888,  members  of  St.  James'  church,  Ligonier, 
living  near  Darlingion,with  a  few  other  persons,  met  at  the  house 
of  Mr.  Charles  Eberlj'  to  consult  about  the  feasibility  of  organiz- 
ing a  Lutheran  congregation  and  building  a  church  at  Darlington. 
Later,  at  another  meeting,  John  Nicely,  Albert  Austin,  An- 
drew Peterson,  Samuel  Johnston  and  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith  were 
constituted  a  building  committee,  who  took  steps  at  once  toward 
the  erection  of  a  church.  A  plan  for  a  neat  frame  church  was 
adopted,  subscriptions  were  solicited,  and  Samuel  Johnston  do- 
nated a  suitable  lot  as  a  site  for  a  church.  He  also  hauled  the 
stones  necessary  for  the  foundation,  and  made  a  liberal  subscrip- 
tion to  the  building  fund.  John  Nicely  donated  and  delivered 
all  the   heavy  lumber  needed  for  the  building.      The  contract 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    DARLINGTON,    PA.  30I 

was  given  to  Ray  &  Peterson  of  lyigonier.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  on  the  17th  of  June,  1888,  with  appropriate  services, 
but  there  was  some  unavoidable  delay  in  the  work  of  complet- 
ing the  church,  and  it  was  not  finished  till  the  spring  of  1889. 
On  the  1 2th  of  May,  it  was  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God. 
Revs.  E.  G.  Lund  and  J.  C,  Kunzmann  of  Greensburg,  assisted 
Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  the  pastor,  at  these  services. 

The  church  is  a  plain  frame  building,  30x50  feet  in  size.  It 
is  neatly  finished  and  modestly  furnished  and  cost  about  $1,200, 
which,  through  the  energy  of  the  pastor  and  building  committee, 
was  provided  for.  This  amount  does  not,  however,  include  the 
donations  of  materials  and  labor  that  were  made  to  the  building. 
Jesse  Cogan  plastered  the  church  as  his  donation.  Mr.  McCune, 
manager  of  the  stone  works,  assisted  by  his  men,  presented  a 
new  organ  to  the  congregation. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  1889,  the  congregation  was  perma- 
nently organized  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Smith,  with  20  members ;  a 
constitution  was  adopted  and  ofiicers  were  elected.  John  Nicely, 
Albert  Austin,  Kim  Johnston  and  Andrew  Peterson  were  chosen 
and  installed  as  the  first  regular  church  council.  St.  Paul's 
church  was  made  an  integral  part  of  the  Ligonier  parish,  and 
was  regularly  served  on  every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon  or 
evening,  by  Rev.  Smith,  till  he  resigned  the  Ligonier  parish.  At 
the  close  of  his  pastorate  he  made  the  following  report :  He  bap- 
tized five  infants  ;  confirmed  six  adults,  and  had  a  communi- 
cant membership  of  25.  The  Sunday  School  had  an  enrollment 
of  25  scholars  and  a  staff  of  six  officers  and  teachers. 

Rev.  Philip  Doerr  was  pastor  of  the  Ligonier  parish  for 
seven  months  in  1893,  and  conducted  services  in  St.  Paul's 
church  on  every  Sunday  afternoon.  He  reported  no  additions, 
but  a  loss  of  five  members  by  removal.  He  also  held  several 
communion  services  during  his  short  pastorate,  and  the  Sunday 
School  was  regularly  conducted. 

In  1894,  R^v.  A.  H.  Bartholomew  became  pastor  of  the 
lyigonier  parish,  and  he  served  this  congregation  on  every  alter- 
nate Sunday  afternoon.     He  introduced  new  church  records  into 


302  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

the  congregation  and  had  a  new  council  elected.  He  resigned 
the  Ligonier  parish  on  the  ist  of  September,  1898,  and  made 
the  following  report  for  this  church  :  He  baptized  nine  chil- 
dren, added  seven  adults  to  the  membership  by  the  rite  of  con- 
firmation, and  three  b)'-  letters  of  transfer  ;  had  a  loss  of  two  by 
death,    and  a  communicant  membership  of  24. 

On  the  ist  of  September,  1898,  Rev.  H.  L,.  McMurry,  be- 
came pastor  of  this  congregation,  and  has  conducted  services 
regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday  afternoon.  A  new  interest 
has  been  awakened  and  harmony  and  peace  reign.  Rev.  McMurry 
has  made  the  following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  He  has 
performed  10  baptisms ;  received  1 1  members  by  confirmation 
and  letters  of  transfer  ;  has  conducted  six  funerals  and  hcs 
now  a   membership  of   25. 

lyist  of  pastors  :  Rev.  J.  ly.  Smith,  D.  D.,  1889  to  April, 
1 892  ;  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  seven  months  in  1893  '>  Rev.  A,  H. 
Bartholomew,  1894  to  Sept.,  1898  ;  Rev.  H.  1,.  McMurry,  Sept., 
1898,  to  the  present. 


XXXIX.     THE    EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN   CHURCH 
OF  THE  HOLY  TRINITY,  JEANNETTE,  PA. 

Early  in  t888,  when  the  discovery  of  natural  gas  in  the 
vicinity  of  Grapeville,  attracted  the  attention  of  manufacturers 
in  Pittsburg,  Mr.  H.  Sellers  McKee  purchased  a  tract  of  land 
and  laid  out  a  town,  which  he  called  Jeannette.  He  removed 
his  glass  works  from  Pittsburg  to  this  new  town.  Other  com- 
panies soon  followed  him  and  in  a  short  time  a  town  was  built 
which  had  a  population  of  3,000  people. 

In  the  summer  of  1888,  the  attention  of  the  Lutheran  pas- 
tors of  Greensburg   was    called  to  Jeannette,    as  a  promising 


HOLY  TRINITY   CHURCH,   JEANNETTE,    PA.  303 

mission  field  for  our  church.  Prof.  J.  A.  Boord,  of  the  Greens- 
burg  Seminary,  was  requested  by  the  president  of  the  Southern 
Conference,  to  make  a  canvass  of  this  town.  Having  done 
so,  he  reported  that  he  had  fourd  many  Lutheran  people  there 

A  meeting  was  called  soon  afterwards,  at  Jeannette,  which 
met  in  the  packing  rooms  of  the  glass  house,  where  religious 
services  were  conducted.  Other  services  were  held  in  private 
houses,  but  as  no  suitable  place  could  be  secured  for  conducting 
public  services  or  holding  a  Sunday  School,  it  was  proposed  to 
build  a  temporary  chapel.  Mrs.  Knappenberger  kindly  granted 
the  use  of  a  lot  for  this  purpose,  and  through  the  efforts  and 
liberality  of  a  few  friends,  such  a  building  was  erected,  in  which 
services  were  held. 

A  Sunday  School  was  organized  as  soon  as  the  chapel  was 
completed,  and  it  was  well  attended.  Mr.  H.  M.  Zundel  of 
Greensburg,  was  elected  superintendent,  who  was  ably  assisted 
by  Prof.  J.  A.  Boord  and  other  helpers.  The  school  was  faith- 
fuily  carried  on  by  these  brethren,  and  it  was  quite  prosperous. 
A  good  beginning  was  made  here,  but  the  work  was  not  pushed 
forward  with  sufficient  energy  after  it  had  been  started. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1889,  the  Mission  Committee  of  the 
Pittsbur.t;  Synod  called  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman,  then  of 
Philadelphia,  as  pastor,  who  accepted  at  once  and  was  in  the  field 
before  the  end  of  the  month.  The  temporary  chapel  was  now 
given  up,  and  the  German  Lutheran  church  rented,  where  ser- 
vices were  conducted  on  every  Lord's  Day. 

On  Easter,  April  13,  1,893,  a  permanent  organization  was 
effected,  with  58  members,  under  the  name  of  "The  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church  of  The  Holy  Trinity."  A  constitution  was 
adopted  and  the  following  persons  elected  the  church  council : 
Gabriel  B.  Potts,  Jacob  Guy,  Charles  H.  Soles,  Oliver  P.  Skelly, 
D.  T.   Knappenberger  and  George  W.  Knappenberger. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1890,  the  first  move  was  made 
toward  the  erection  of  a  church.  A  building  committee  was 
appointed,  consisting  of  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman.  G.  W.  Knap- 
penberger, Dr.  T.  A.  Klingensmith,  D.  T.  Knappenberger,  G.  B, 
Potts  and  Caleb  Myers.     The  lots  on  Magee  and  Seventh  streets 


304  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

donated  by  the  Land  Improvement  company  being  unsuitable  as 
a  site  for  a  church,  were  exchanged  for  the  present  location  by 
the  payment  of  $1,000  to  the  company.  It  was  decided  to  build 
a  brick  church,  the  cost  of  which  was  not  to  exceed  $7,000. 
Work  to  begin  as  soon  as  $5,000  were  subscribed.  The  work 
of  building  moved  slowly,  but  on  the  i8th  of  September,  1892, 
the  corner-stone  was  laid,  Revs.  A.  L.  Yount,  John  Teleen,  and 
W.  F.  Ulery  were  present  and  assisted  the  pastor  at  these  joyous 
and  impressive  services. 

After  the  corner-stone  was  laid  the  work  was  carried  on  as 
rapidly  as  circumstances  permitted  ;  there  were  unavoidable  de- 
lays in  the  completion  of  the  building.  By  the  middle  of  June, 
1894,  the  church  was  finished  and  on  the  23rd  of  the  month  it  was 
set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Revs.  W.  A.  Passavant,  Jr., 
J.  C.  Kunzman  and  F.  P.  Bossart  of  Pitt.-,burg,  and  Revs.  A.  L. 
Yount,  F.  W.  E.  Peschau  and  W.  F.  Ulery  of  Greensburg,  were 
present  and  took  part  in  the  services  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  handsome  brick  building,  and  churchly  in 
all  its  appointments.  The  auditorium  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
about  250,  and  with  the  Sunday  School  room  and  galleries,  it  will 
seat  about  450  persons.  The  entire  cost  was  $12,000.  Rev. 
Zimmerman  also  built  a  brick  parsonage  on  the  north  side  of  the 
church,  costing  $4,000,  of  which  only  $500  was  paid.  Rev. 
Zimmerman  continued  his  pastorate  till  September,  1895,  when 
he  resigned. 

After  his  resignation  Rev.  J.  W.  Myers  was  elected,  who 
became  pastor  of  Trinity  church  on  the  ist  of  November,  1895. 
He  devoted  all  his  time  and  energy  to  this  mission.  He  con- 
ducted services  on  every  Sunday  and  faithfully  performed  all 
necessary  pastoral  work.  He  resigned  on  the  ist  day  of 
January,  1898,  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in  Nova 
Scotia.  There  was  a  vacancy  after  his  resignation  till  the 
15th  of  May,  1898,  during  which  time  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery  sup- 
plied the  congregation. 

Rev.  Frank  S.  Beistel,  of  the  Chicago  Theological  Seminary, 
was  called  on  the  ist  of  May,  1898 ;  was  ordained  on  the  19th, 
and    installed    on  the    22nd   of    the    same    month.      He    has 


HOLY  TRINITY   CHURCH,    JEANNETTE,    PA.  305 

conducted  services  every  Sunday  morning  and  evening,  has  had 
charge  of  the  Sunday  School  and  als^o  general  oversight  of 
all  the  work  of  the  parish.  He  immediately,  began  the  work  of 
gathering  people  and  soliciting  contributions  for  the  congregation 
and  has  been  eminently  successful.  There  was  an  indebtedness 
of  ^6,060  on  the  church  property  when  he  took  charge.  In  the 
year  1899,  $1,200  were  paid  on  the  church  debt. 

During  the  summer  of  1900,  the  church  was  thoroughly 
renovated,  the  auditorium  and  the  Sunday  School  room  were 
frescoed,  painted  and  carpeted  in  a  handsome  manner,  at  a  cost 
of  $700.  In  the  same  year  the  congregation  became  self-sustain- 
ing, and  is  now  paying  their  pastor  a  salary  of  $850.  In  1902 
the  balance  of  the  church  debt  of  $1,200  has  been  raised  and  also 
$400  to  apply  on  the  debt  of  the  parsonage,  which  is  still  $3,000. 
Over  $500  has  been  paid  to  the  synod  in  these  several  years, 
making  an  aggregate  of  $4,000  in  four  years,  exclusive  of  cur- 
rent  expenses,    which    amounted  to  at  least    $1,000    annually. 

Trinity  congregation  is  now  12  years  old  and  has  an  effective 
membership  of  240  communicants,  and  a  Sunday  School  of  210 
scholars  and  15  officers  and  teachers.  The  pastor  is  the  super- 
intendent. Homer  Miller,  assistant  and  Harry  Smith,  secretary. 
The  Sunday  School  contributes  regularly  to  the  different  objects 
of  benevolence,  and  during  the  past  year  paid  $285  toward  liqui- 
dating the  church  debt. 

The  Luther  League,  which  was  organized  several  years  ago, 
now  has  25  members  and  holds  regular  meetings  every  Sunday 
evening  for  mutual  improvement. 

Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman,  who  organized  the  church,  and 
was  pastor  of  it  for  almost  six  years,  has  made  the  following 
report  :  He  baptized  78  children,  confirmed  49  adults  and  added 
80  members  by  letters  of  transfer ;  there  were  six  deaths  and 
30  removals,  leaving  a  membership  of  157. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Myers,  who  was  pastor  for  two  years,  reported 
47  infant  baptisms,  23  confirmations  and  17  additions  by  letters 
of  transfer,  two  deaths  and  13  removals,  and  had  a  membership 
of  165. 

Rev.   Frank  S.   Beistel,  the  present  pastor,  has  made    the 


306  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  during  his  pastorate  :  He 
baptized  76  children,  received  76  by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and 
81  by  letters  of  transfer  ;  there  were  three  deaths  and  39  by  re- 
movals, leaving  a  membership  of  240, 

The  present  church  council  are  :  Rev.  Frank  S.  Beistel, 
pastor,  and  president  of  the  church  council,  D.  A.  Allshouse, 
secretary  ;  T.  A.  Klingensmith,  M.  D. ,  financial  secretary; 
Henry  Knappenberger,  W.  R.  Pierce,  J.  P.  Baughman  and  J.  Z. 
Kepple,  deacons ;  G.  W.  Knappenberger,  William  Klingensmith 
and  Israel  Miller,  trustees. 

List  of  pastors :  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman,  Nov.,  1889  to 
Sept.,  1895;  Rev.  John  W.  Myers,  Nov.,  1895  to  Jan.,  1898; 
Rev.  Frank  S.  Beistel,  May,  1898,  to  the  present. 


XL.      SAINT    PAUL'S   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  SCOTTDALE,  PENN'A. 

In  the  summer  of  1890  the  Southern  Conference  sent  Rev. 
Jeremiah  H.  Kline  into  the  coke  region  of  Westmoreland  county 
to  do  missionary  work.  Though  sent  out  as  a  general  mission- 
ary, he  did  not  think  it  wise  to  spread  his  work  over  the  whole 
territory,  but  preferred  to  confine  his  efforts  to  one  or  two  points 
in  order  that  he  might  accomplish  some  permanent  results. 

After  inspecting  the  field  he  selected  Scottdale  as  the  most 
hopeful  point  for  the  church,  of  all  the  places  he  had  visited. 
He  began  to  hold  services  here,  and,  after  making  a  canvass  of 
the  town,  and  finding  a  number  of  Lutheran  people,  he  con- 
cluded that  it  was  expedient  to  organize  a  Lutheran  congrega- 
tion. The  people  agreed  with  him,  and  also  declared  that  unless 
permanent  work  was  to  be  done,  they  did  not  desire  any 
occasional    services.     Several   of  the  Mt.   Pleasant    pastors  had 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    SCOTTDAI.E,    PA.  307 

held  services  here,  but  as  they  could  not  give  this  place  much 
attention  and  did  not  organize,  no  permanent  resuhs  were  ac- 
complished. 

After  conducting  services  regularly  for  several  months  at 
Scottdale  and  thoroughly  canvassing  the  field.  Rev.  Kline 
effected  a  provisional  organization  on  the  ist  of  October,  1890, 
with  40  members,  under  the  title  of  "St.  Paul's  Evangelicpl 
Lutheran  Church."  It  was  later  made  permanent  and  a  con- 
stitution adopted  and  the  following  persons  elected  ns  a  church 
council :  John  S.  Fretts,  John  Kritschgau,  Harry  F.  Bott,  Will 
S.  Loucks,  J.  M.  Baer  and  Denis  Comp,  who,  with  the  pastor, 
were  also  appointed  a  building  committee. 

On  the  I  St  of  March,  1891,  the  work  of  building  was  com- 
menced. A  suitable  lot,  55x110  feet,  on  Loucks  avenue,  was 
purchased  for  the  sum  of  $800 ;  a  plan  for  a  church  was  adopted, 
subscriptions  solicited,  and  the  contract  let.  The  work  of  build- 
ing was  carried  on  successfully,  and  on  the  21st  of  May,  the 
corner-stone  was  laid.  Revs.  D.  M.  Kemerer  and  J.  C.  Kunz- 
man  assisted  the  pastor  at  these  services. 

After  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone,  the  work  of  comple- 
tion was  pushed  rapidly,  and  on  the  20th  of  October,  the 
church  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God.  Revs.  A.  L.  Yount, 
W.  H.  Zuber,  J.  C.  Kunzmann  and  D.  M.  Kemerer  assisted  the 
pastor  on  this  occasion,  the  first  of  these  preaching  the  sermon. 

The  church  is  a  neat  frame  building,  gothic  in  style,  34x50 
feet  in  size,  and  is  well  built.  It  has  two  corner  towers  through 
which  are  the  entrances  to  the  auditorium,  one  of  which  termi- 
nates in  a  steeple  or  spire  in  which  hangs  a  good  bell.  The 
auditorium  is  finished  in  hard  wood,  and  nicely  furnished  with 
comfortable  pews  and  chancel  furniture.  The  windows  are 
stained  glass,  they  were  all  donated,  and  many  of  them  are 
memorials.  The  church  is  heated  by  gas  and  lighted  by  electric 
light.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  at  the  time  of  dedication, 
together  with  the  lot,  was  $3,500  ;  but  several  hundred  dollars 
have  since  been  spent  on  repairs  and  improvements. 

Rev.  Kline  continued  his  pastorate  with  a  fair  measure  of 
success  till  July,    1894,   when  he  resigned,   and  accepted  a  call 


308  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

from  the  Donegal  parish  in  the  hope  that  this  change  might  be 
beneficial  to  his  health.  Soon  after  his  resignation  Rev.  J.  C, 
F.  Rnpp  of  McKeesport,  Pa. ,  was  called  and  became  pastor  on 
the  first  of  the  following  September.  He  continued  to  serve  this 
church,  in  connection  with  Hoffman's  church,  till  July,  1899. 
He  conducted  services  every  alternate  Sunday  morning  and 
every  Sunday  evening,  but  after  July,  1899,  he  devoted  all  his 
time  to  St.  Paul's  till  he  resigned  on  April,  15th  1900.  Later 
he  accepted  a  call  from  St.  Lawrence  parish,  Morrisburg,  Canada. 
During  his  pastorate,  some  repairs  and  important  improvements 
were  made.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  the  painting  and 
carpeting  of  the  church,  the  fitting  up  of  a  primary  Sunday 
School  room,  and  the  laying  of  a  flag  stone  pavement.  In  July, 
1895,  the  church  was  chartered  and  during  this  year  paid  its 
quota  to  the  Jubilee  Fund,  and  has  contributed  regularly  to  the 
different  benevolent  objects  of  the  synod. 

In  September,  1900,  Rev.  B.  F.  Hankey  was  called.  He 
took  charge  on  the  ist  of  October,  and  was  installed  on  the  13th 
of  Januar)',  1901,  by  the  president  of  the  sjmod,  assisted  b^'Rev. 
R.  G.  Rcsenbaum,  president  of  the  Southern  Conference.  He 
has  conducted  services  on  everj^  Sunday  morning  and  evening. 
He  was  absent  one  month  in  the  fall  of  1901,  when  he  repre- 
sented the  needs  and  interests  of  the  Porto  Rico  Mission  in  the 
churches  in  Philadelphia,  during  this  time  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Heist 
supplied  his  pulpit.  Rev.  Hankey  has  rendered  acceptable  ser- 
vice and  has  had  success  in  his  work. 

Valuable  improvements  were  made  in  the  church  during 
the  last  5'ear.  The  outside  was  painted,  the  auditorium  frescoed, 
the  ceiling,  pews  and  all  the  wood  work  varnished,  and  the  floor 
carpeted  ;  the  chancel  was  provided  with  a  fiiie  curtain  above 
the  altar,  and  vestments  made  for  altiir,  pulpit  and  lecturn. 
A  platform  has  been  erected  for  the  use  of  the  choir,  and  a  fine 
organ  has  been  placed  on  it  by  C.  H.  Ulery  and  C.  L.  Holtzer, 
organ    committee. 

The  finances  of  the  congregation  are  in  good  condition,  a 
debt  of  $503  was  paid  last  year,  as  also  the  apportionment  to 
synod,  all  local  expenses  met  and  there  is  a  balance  in  the  treasury 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    SCOTTDAI^E,    PA.  309 

The  Sunday  School,  which  has  always  been  an  important 
part  of  the  congregation,  is  doing  well.  It  had  a  rapid 
growth  during  the  last  year.  It  now  numbers  100  scholars,  and 
12  officers  and  teachers,  and  is  organized  on  the  advanced 
system  of  Graded  Lessons.  The  present  officers  are  :  Wm.  S. 
Loucks,  superintendent ;  C.  L.  Holtzer,  secretary  ;  Adam 
Henkel,  treasurer  ;  Miss  Alma  Yothers  and  Miss  Olive  Riden- 
our,  librarians. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  a  number  of  years 
ago  and  now  has  16  active  members.  It  has  rendered  valuable 
services  to  the  congregation  in  its  financial  straits.  It  paid  $150 
last  year  to  the  liquidation  of  the  debt  and  has  contributed  to 
other  objects,  such  as  missions  and  orphan  cause.  Its  present 
officers  are  :  Mrs.  E.  R.  Kuhns,  president ;  Mrs.  C.  L.  Holtzer, 
secretary,  and  Mrs.  Noah  Hixon,  treasurer.  There  is  also  a 
Young  Ladies'  Society  with  r8  members,  which  works  for  the 
upbuilding  of  the  congregation. 

The  Luther  League,  which  was  organized  a  few  years  ago, 
has  20  members,  and  holds  regular  meetings  on  every  Sunday 
evening.  C.  A.  Boyer,  is  president.  The  children's  Mission 
Band  has  20  members.  It  is  a  society  of  children  organized  to 
do  missionary  work,  as  its  name  indicates,  and  is  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  pastor.  Each  of  these  societies  does  its  own  work  in 
its  own  way,  yet  all  are  working  together  for  the  advancement 
of  the  church  of  Christ,  in  that  they  are  developing  the  strength 
and  resources  of  the  congregation. 

This  congregation  is  nearly  11  years  old  and  has  had  three 
pastors,  including  the  present  one.  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline,  who 
organized  it  was  pastor  for  nearly  four  years,  and  made  the 
following  report  of  his  ministerial  acts  :  He  baptized  35  chil- 
dren, confirmed  24  adults  and  added  61  members  by  letters  of 
transfer;  there  were  four  deaths  and  two  removals.  Rev.  J.  C. 
F.  Rupp,  who  was  pastor  over  five  years,  reported  80  infant 
baptisms,  56  confirmations,  66  additions  by  letters  of  transfer, 
five  deaths  and  29  removals,  and  a  membership  of  103.  Rev.  B. 
F.  Hankey,  who  took  charge,  a  year  and  a  half  ago,  has  reported 
33  baptisms,  1 7  confirmations,  43  additions  by  letters  of  tranfer, 


3IO  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

two    deaths.    21    removals  and  an  effective  membership  of  122. 

The  church  council  are  :  Rev.  B.  F.  Hankey,  pastor,  ex- 
olficio  president,  Will  S.  Loucks,  secretary,  and  A.  C.  Boyer, 
treasurer  ;  John  Kritschgau,  C.  L.  Holt/.er,  Albert  Smail  and 
Henrj'  Keister,  deacons. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  J.  H.  Kline,  1890-1894  ;  Rev.  J.  C.  F. 
Rupp,  Sept.,  1894  to  April,  1900;  Rev.  B.  F.  Hankey,  Oct., 
1900,  to  the  present  time. 


XLI.     SAINT  ANDREW'S    EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,    AVONMORE,    WESTMORE- 
LAND   COUNTY,  PENN'A. 

Services  were  commenced  in  this  town  in  1891  by  Rev.  Wm, 
G.  Hudson  of  Saltsburg,  Pa.  Soon  after  they  were  begun  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jacob  Hine  granted  the  use  of  a  lot  on  which  a  tempo- 
rary chapel  was  bulit. 

In  1892  a  congregation  of  27  members  was  organized  under 
the  name  of  "St.  Andrew's  Evangehcal  Lutheran  Church."  It 
was  made  a  part  of  Saltsburg  and  St.  James  parish,  and  was 
served  by  Rev.  Hudson  till  1896,  when  he  resigned.  After  his 
resignation  St.  Andrew's  was  united  with  St.  James  to  constitute 
a  parish,  and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1S97,  Rev.  A.  M.  Strauss 
became  pastor.  He  conducted  services  on  every  Sunday,  and 
thus  a  new  interest  was  awakened  in  the  congregation.  The 
members  began  to  realize  that  better  church  accommodations 
were  needed.  In  1898  a  congregational  meeting  was  called  to 
discuss  the  necessity  and  feasibility  of  building  a  church,  but  no 
definite  conclusion  was  reached.  Early  in  1899  another  meeting 
was  held,  when  it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  build,  and  Sher- 
man Smeltzer,  Geo.  Hine,  David  Taylor  and  Rev.  A.  M.  Strauss 


ST.  Andrew's  church,  avonmore,  pa.  311 

were  appointed  a  building  committee.  A  plan  was  secured,  sub- 
scriptions solicited,  and  the  contract  let  to  the  Hill  Lumber  com- 
pany of  Avonmore. 

On  the  30th  of  Juh'  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  the  pastor 
with  appropriate  services.  The  work  of  building  was  carried  on 
successfully,  and  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1900,  the  church  was 
set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  R.  G.  Rosenbaum 
preached  the  dedication  sermon,  and  Rev.  W.  E.  Bauer  assisted 
the  pastor  in  the  service  of   consecration. 

The  church  is  a  neat  frame  building,  37x40  feet  in  size, with 
an  annex  of  24x28  feet  for  a  Sunday  School  room.  The  audito- 
rium is  nicely  finished  and  furnished  with  fine  oak  pews,  altar 
pulpit,  lecturn,  and  has  beautiful  stained  glass  windows.  The 
Sunday  School  room  is  well  arranged  and  adapted  to  its  use. 
The  whole  cost  of  the  building  was  $3,500.  It  is  well  located  on 
a  beautiful  lot  which  was  donated  by  the  Land  Improvement 
Company  of  Avonmore.  Rev.  Strauss,  and  the  committee,  deserve 
much  credit  for  the  successful  manner  in  which  this  church  has 
been  completed. 

The  church  is  now  ten  years  old  and  has  a  communicant  mem- 
bership of  40.  It  has  a  Sunday  School  of  50  scholars,  and  dur- 
ing Rev.  Strauss'  pastorate  was  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

Rev.  Hudson  reported  15  infant  baptisms;  12  confirmations; 
14  additions  by  letters  of  transfer  ;  10  removals,  and  a  member- 
ship of  40  at  the  close  of  his  pastorate.  Rev.  Strauss  reported 
I  o  baptisms  ;  8  confirmations  ;  4  additions  by  letters  of  transfer  ; 
one  death,   and  29  removals. 

The  congregation  has  been  vacant  since  January  i,  1901, 
and  has  suffered  loss  on  this  account.  It  has  had  two  pastors, 
Rev.  W.  G.  Hudson,  1892  to  Jan.,  1896;  Rev.  A.  M.  Strauss, 
Jan.,   1897  to  January,   1901. 


312  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 


XLII.      UNITY    EVANGEIvICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH 
MANOR    STATION,    PENN'A. 

Services  were  conducted  at  Manor  Station  at  different  times 
by  several  Lutheran  ministers,  but  no  permanent  work  was  done 
till  the  present  pastorate.  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink  commenced  work 
here  over  20  years  ago,  and  held  services  regularly  for  several 
years.  That  was  the  time  when  effective  work  ought  to  have 
been  done.  A  beginning  was  made  to  build  a  church  here,  a 
subscription  of  $2,500  was  raised  by  a  few  persons  and  the  pros- 
pect of  building  a  church  was  very  promising,  but  some  evil- 
minded  person  cast  the  apple  of  discord  into  the  camp  by  advis- 
ing a  change  of  location.  This  caused  such  a  serious  dissension 
among  the  subscribers  of  the  building  fund,  that  the  church 
building  enterprise  was  abandoned,  and  the  cau.se  received  a  great 
back  set  from  which  it  has  scarcely  yet  recox^ered.  Later  a  provi- 
sional organization  was  formed,  and  Manor  united  with  the 
Irwin  parish.  Revs.  F.  W.  Kohler  and  E.  L.  Baker  conducted 
services  here,  and  some  effort  was  made  toward  building  a  church, 
but  it  was  not  successful. 

On  the  ist  of  July,  1891,  Rev.  Samuel  K.  Herbster  accepted 
a  call  from  the  Irwin  parish  and  entered  at  once  on  his  work. 
On  the  9th  of  August  he  organized,  or  re-organized,  Unity  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  church,  a  new  constitution  was  adopted  and 
officers  were  elected  and  installed. 

Rev.  Herbster  has  held  services  every  Sunday  afternoon  in 
this  congregation  since  he  took  charge,  and  has  also  managed  the 
Sunday  School,  but  his  efforts  have  not  been  crowned  with  such 
success  as  he  had  reason  to  expect.  There  has  been  no  little 
fluctuation  in  the  membership  during  the  present  pastorate.  The 
losses  by  death  and  removals  have  fully  equalled  the  accessions  by 
confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer.  The  membership  ten  years 
ago  was  about  the  same  as  it  is  now.  As  long  as  a  congregation 
has  no  church  home  its  members  are  very  liable  to  drift,  and  it 
will  rarely  make  much  progress. 


SAIXT    JAMICS,     LKio.XIEl 


HOLY     TKIXITY.     ADAMSKTRC^ 


nursii    iKKick    i'AKS().\A(.i: 


UNITY   CHURCH,    MANOR   STATION,    PA.  313 

In  the  summer  of  1891  a  beginning  was  made  to  build  a 
church.  Rev.  S.  K.  Herbster,  Dr.  Chas.  A.  Shirey,  William 
Smeltzer.  B.  R.  Walthour,  David  Helman  and  Henry  Naly  were 
appointed  a  building  cammittee  who  engaged  an  architect  to 
prepare  plans,  solicited  subscriptions  and  let  the  contract  for 
the  building. 

On  the  2nd  of  February,  1902,  the  corner-stone  was  laid 
with  becoming  services.  Revs.  Philip  Doerr,  Frank  S.  Beistel 
and  George  J.  Gongaware  assisted  the  pastor  at  these  services. 
The  work  has  progres-  .1  satisfactorily,  and,  at  this  writing, 
(June,  1902),  the  building  is  well  on  the  way  toward  completion. 

The  church  is  a  frame  building,  cased  with  brick,  and  will 
make  a  comfortable  church  home  for  this  struggling  congrega- 
tion. It  will  have  a  seating  capacity  of  about  250  persons  and 
will  cost  about  $4,000.  We  think  when  the  church  is  completed 
the  congregation  will  take  a  new  start  and  have  new  energy  to 
do  their  work,  for  they  will  have  better  equipments  and  more 
facilities  for  effective  work. 

Unity  church  has  a  Sunday  School  and  a  Ladies'  Aid 
Society,  both  of  which  are  older  than  the  congregation  itself. 
The  Sunday  School  was  organized  some  years  before  the  perma- 
nent organization  of  the  congregation,  and  has  been  regularly 
held.  Some  who  faithfully  labored  here  are  now  in  the 
church  above.  Under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Herbster,  the  Sun- 
day School  has  been  faithfully  conducted  and  has  done  good 
work.     It  has  now  50  members,  five  teachers  and  45  scholars. 

The  Ivadies'  Aid  Society  has  been  a  helpful  handmaid  in  the 
work  of  this  congregation,  both  before  and  after  its  permanent 
organization.  It  has  rendered  valuable  services  in  the  present 
church  building  enterprise.  It  provided  the  money  (  $600  )  to 
pay  for  the  lot  on  which  the  church  is  being  built,  and  is  taking 
an  active  part  in  its  completion.  The  present  officers  are  :  Mrs. 
Hiram  Altman,  president ;  Mrs.  Wm.  Smeltzer,  vice  president ; 
Mrs.  David  Helman,   secretary  ;   Mrs.    Henry  Myers,  treasurer. 

The  following  is  the  church  council :  Rev,  S.  K.  Herbster, 
pastor  and  ex-oificio  president ;  Hiram  Altman,  Benjamin  R, 
Walthour,  George  Siegfried  and  John  Miller,  deacons  ;    William 


314  SOUTHERN    CONFEHENCE. 

Smeltzer,  Dr.    Charles  A.  Shirey    and  David  Helman,  trustee.^. 

Rev.  Samuel  K.  Herbster  has  reported  the  following : 
27  infant  baptisms ;  22  confirmations ;  nine  additions  by 
letters  of  transfer,  five  deaths,  and  33  removals,  and  a  communi- 
cant membership  of  45. 

The  ministers,  who  have  preached  in  this  congregation  at 
different  times  were :  Rev.  J.  S.  Fink,  Rev.  F.  W.  Kohler,  Rev. 
E.  ly.  Baker  and  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman.  But  since  its  perma- 
nent organization  in  1S91,  Rev.  Herbster  has  been  the  pastor. 


XIvIII.     PENN    EVANGEEICAL    LUTHERAN  CHURCH, 
PENN,  STATION,  WESTMORELAND,  CO.,  PA. 

Services  were  begun  at  Penn  Station  in  1890,  by  Rev. 
Robert  M.  Zimmerman,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1891,  an  organ- 
isation was  effected  by  Rev.  D.  M.  Kemerer,  Missionary  Presi- 
dent of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman  supplied 
the  congregation  till  September,  1894,  when  it  was  united 
with  the  Brush  Creek  parish,  and  placed  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  Rev.  George  S.  Seaman.  He  served  it,  in  connection  with  the 
Brush  Creek  parish,  till  July,  1896,  when  he  resigned  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  St.  John's  church,  Homestead,  Pa.  There 
was  a  vacancy  of  six  months  after  his  resignation,  during 
v.'hich  it  was  only  partially  supplied. 

In  March,  1897,  Rev.  Philip  Doerr  became  pastor  of  the 
Brush  Creek  parish,  and  was  regularly  installed  on  the 
1 6th  of  May,  by  Rev.  F.  \V.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.  He  has 
ministered  faithfully,  holding  English  services  every  Sunday  and 
German  services  twice  a  month 

In  the  autumn  of  1897,  the  work  of  building  a  chuich 
was  begun.     Rqv.  Philip  Doerr,  W.  H.  Landis,   David  Rankin, 


PENN   CHURCH,    PENN   STATION,    PA.  315 

Frank  Landis,  Frank  Rankin,  J.  F.  Landis,  Esq.,  and  Otto 
Herholtz  were  elected  as  a  building  committee,  a  plan  for  a 
church  was  adopted,  subscriptions  were  solicited  and  the  con- 
tract for  the  building  was  let  to  Jacob  Myers  &  Co. 

On  the  loth  of  October,  1897,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  religious  services.  Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschan,  D.  D., 
and  others,  were  present  and  assisted  the  pastor  on  this 
occasion.  The  work  of  building  was  carried  successfully  for- 
ward, and  by  the  ist  of  June.  1S98,  the  church  was  dedicated  to 
the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  P.  Doerr,  the  pastor,  was  assisted  at 
these  services  by  Revs.  A.  L.  Yount,  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  R.  G. 
Rosenbaum,  George  S.  Seaman,  George  J.  Diener  and  W,  F. 
Ulery.  Three  services  were  held  in  the  church  on  the  dedication 
day.  At  the  morning  service  Rev.  Rosenbt^um  preached  a  suit- 
able sermon  and  Rev.  Seaman  made  an  appeal  to  the  congrega- 
tion. At  the  afternoon  service  Rev.  Dr.  Yount,  the  President 
of  the  Synod,  preached  the  dedication  sermon  ;  Dr.  Peschau 
made  a  German  address,  and  Revs.  Herbster,  Diener  and  Ulery 
made  short  r.ddresies,  the  pastor  performing  the  act  of 
consecration. 

The  church,  which  is  well  located  on  a  lot,  60x120  feet  in 
size,  donated  by  the  Westmoreland  Coal  company,  is  a  neat 
brick-cased  building,  34x45  feet  in  size,  with  an  annex,  16x22 
feet,  for  a  Sundaj'  School  room.  There  are  two  front  entrances 
to  the  auditorium.  One  of  these  is  through  the  corner  tower, 
which  is  9  feet  square  and  50  feet  high.  The  church  is  finished 
in  hard  wood.  The  furniture  of  the  auditorium  is  made  of 
quartered  oak,  and  is  neat  and  churchly.  The  entire  cost  of  the 
building  was  $4,500.  Great  credit  is  due  to  the  pastor,  and  his 
efficient  helpers  of  the  building  committee,  for  the  successful 
manner  in  which  the  building  of  this  church  was  conducted. 

The  congregation  has  a  brief  history,  for  it  is  only  about  1 1 
years  old,  but  it  has  made  commendable  progress.  It  now  owns 
a  neat  church  on  a  desirable  lot,  all  paid  for.  It  has  an  effective 
membership  of  120  communicants,  a  prosperous  Sunday  School, 
and  a  very  active  Luther  League.  The  Sunday  School  was  or- 
ganized on  the  27th  of  January,   1890,  a  year  and  a  half  before 


3l6  SOUTHERN    CONFERKNCE. 

the  congregation  was  established.  Mr.  W.  H.  Landis  was 
elected  superintendent.  He  has  held  this  office  ever  since  and 
has  filled  it  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
those  associated  with  him.  The  school  has  been  conducted  with 
promptness  and  regularity,  and  had  a  constant  growth  in  num- 
bers and  efficiency.  It  has  had  an  average  attendance  of  io8. 
It  was  organized  with  67  scholars.  In  1898  it  had  150  scholars  and 
15  officers  and  teachers.  In  1900  it  had  175  scholars  and  18 
officers  and  teachers,  and  in  1901  it  had  200  scholars.-  It  has 
raised  over  $1,000  since  its  organization,  and  contributed  liberally 
to  the  building  of   the  church. 

The  Luther  League  was  organized  on  the  9th  of  April,  1894, 
with  35  members.  It  has  now  about  60  members  and  is  doing  a 
good  work.  It  holds  meetings  regularly  on  every  Sunday  even- 
ing for  devotional  services,  and  for  the  study  of  the  topics  that 
are  assigned  by  the  National  League.  These  meetings  are  a 
great  benefit  to  the  members  in  making  them  better  acquainted 
with  the  Word  of  God  and  the  doctrines  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
The  Luther  League,  as  well  as  the  Sunday  School,  has  done 
effective  work  in  the  congregation,  and  has  rendered  valuable 
assistance  in  the  building  of  the  church.  The  present  officers  are: 
Lawrence  Truxal,  president  ;  Miss  Anna  M.  Landis,  secretary. 

The  following  is  a  report  of  the  ministerial  acts  of  the  sev- 
eral pastorates  :  Rev.  R.  M,  Zimmerman  baptized  13  children 
and  confirmed  28  adults  and  reported  a  membership  of  78.  Rev. 
George  S.  Seaman,  baptized  (5  children,  confirmed  10  adults, 
and  added  six  by  letters  of  transfer,  and  had  a  communicant 
membership  of  73.  Rev.  P.  Doerr  has  baptized  39  children, 
received  28  by  confirmation  and  33  by  letters  of  transfer;  had  a 
loss  of  12,  and  has  a  communicant  membership  of  120. 

The  church  council  are :  Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  pastor  and 
ex-officio  chairman,  A.  J.  Landis,  David  Rankin,  Jacob  Myers, 
B.  Lawson,  August  Frank,  I.  M.  Truxal,  Jacob  Brezer,  Otto 
Herholtz  and  J,  A.  Stitely. 

List  of  pastors  :  Rev.  Robert  M.  Zimmerman,  1891-1894; 
Rev.  George  S.  Seaman,  Oct.,  1894  to  July,  1896  ;  Rev.  Philip 
Doerr,  March,  1897,  to  the  present  time. 


ST.    LUKE  S   CHURCH,    MELROSE,    FLORIDA.  317 


XUV.      SAINT    LUKE'S     EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  MELROSE,  FLORIDA. 

In  the  autumn  of  1890,  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters  resigned  his 
position  as  superintendent  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  School  at 
Jumon-\ille,  Pa.,  and  went,  with  his  wife,  to  spend  the  winter  in 
Florida.  He  settled  in  Melrose,  where  he  found  a  few  Luther- 
ans, who,  as  well  as  hi  :  elf,  desired  to  have  church  services. 
At  the  request  of  these  people  he  held  services,  and  as  the 
interest  was  awakened,  they  were  continued,  and  on  the  loth  of 
February,  1894,  a  congregation  was  organized  with  eight  mem- 
bers, under  the  title  of  "St.  Luke's  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church."  A  constitution  was  adopted  in  harmony  with  the 
doctrinal  basis  of  the  General  Council  and  Mr.  Francis  Obenhoff 
and  Mr.  Wra.  A.  Vogelbach  were  elected  as  elder  and  deacon 
respectively.  During  the  time  when  Rev  Waters  has  his 
residence  in  Melrose,  he  conducts  regular  services  on  every 
Lord's  Day  :  during  his  absence  in  the  summer  months  he  pro- 
vides for  occasional  supplies. 

In  1884  a  move  was  made  to  build  a  church.  Plans  and 
specifications  were  secured  and  adopted,  and  the  contract  was  let 
for  the  building.  As  soon  as  the  foundation  was  completed  the 
corner-stone  was  laid,  the  services  being  conducted  by  Rev. 
Waters. 

Early  in  1895,  the  church  was  finished  and  was  set  apart  to 
the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  J.  Bowman,  D.  D. ,  was  present  on 
this  occasion  and  preached  the  dedication  sermon,  and  the  pastor 
performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

The  church  is  a  very  neat  frame  building,  28x42  feet  in 
size,  gothic  in  its  architecture,  and  is  handsomely  finished,  and 
furnished  in  a  corresponding  manner.  It  has  fine  stained  glass 
windows  and  beautiful  chancel  furniture.  Two  of  the  large 
windows  are  memorial ;  the  one  for  the  youngest  son,  and  the 
other  for  the  wife  of  the  pastor.  The  one  representing  the  Good 
Shepherd,   and  the  other  the  Angel  of  Praise.     Both  are  fine 


3l8  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

Specimens  of  art.  The  church  is  beautifully  situated,  overlook- 
ing Lake  Santa  Fe,  and  presents  a  very  pleasing  appearance. 
The  lot  on  which  this  lovely  church  stands,  was  donated  to  the 
congregation  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  donations  from  friends  and  some  gifts  of  the  Ladies'  Aid 
Society  of  the  First  Lutheran  church,  Pittsburg,  he  paid  for 
the  building  of  the  church.  The  membership  is  still  small,  but 
there  has  been  a  gradual  increase  in  the  last  few  years.  It  was 
organized  with  eight  members,  its  present  communicant  mem- 
bership is  23. 

The  church  is  deservedly  popular  in  the  town,  and  is  exert- 
ing a  good  influence  on  the  people  who  are  associated  with  it, 
and  has  proved  a  source  of  great  comfort  to  the  Lutheran  peo- 
ple who  have  taken  up  their  residence  in  Melrose.  It  has  had 
only  one  pastor.  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  who  founded  it,  and  has 
had  charge  of  it  from  its  organization  till  the  present  time. 


XLV.     ZION'S    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN   CHURCH, 
BRADENVILLE,  WESTMORELAND  CO.,  PA. 

Bradenville  has  been  a  preaching  station  for  several  years. 
Rev.  G.  G.  Ruff  of  Derry  Station,  at  the  request  of  the  members 
living  in  that  vicinity,  organized  a  congregation  in  that  place 
on  the  15th  of  April,  1895,  with  20  members,  under  the  title  of 
"  Zion's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church."  A  constitution  was 
adopted  and  officers  elected,  and  it  became  a  part  of  the  Derry 
parish.  Since  then  services  have  been  conducted  on  every  alter- 
nate Sunday  afternoon  and  the  Holy  Communion  administered 
quarterly.  The  growth  of  the  congregation  has  been  slow  and 
is  likely  to  be  for  years  to  come,  as  the  field  is  quite  limited. 


zion's  church,  bradennille,  pa.  319 

Rev.  Ruff  made  the  following  report  at  the  close  of  his  pas- 
torate :  He  baptized  15  children,  received  14  adults  into  full  mem- 
bership by  the  rite  of  confirmation  and  letters  of  transfer  ;  there 
were  9  removals,   and  a  communicant  membership  of  25. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Ruff,  in  the  autumn  of 
1899,  Rev.  Wilson  Yeisley  became  pastor  of  this  parish  and 
served  this  congregation  in  the  same  order  and  with  the  same 
fidelity  as  his  predecessor.  He  conducted  services  on  every  alter- 
nate Sunday,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion  four  times 
a   year. 

Zion's  church  has  a  Sunday  School  which  is  conducted  by 
the  officers  of  the  congregation.  It  has  four  teachers  and  35 
scholars,   and  is  doing  good  work. 

The  services  are  held  in  the  old  Union  Church  in  the  town. 
Though  the  congregation,  as  well  as  the  attendance,  is  small,  yet 
no  one  can  tell  how  much  good  may  be  done  to  the  people  of 
that  town  and  community. 

Rev.  Yeisley,  who  resigned  on  the  15th  of  April,  1902,  has 
made  the  following  report  :  He  baptized  eight  infants,  confirmed 
three  adults,  there  has  been  a  loss  of  six,  and  there  is  now  an 
effective  membership  of    22. 

The  present  church  council  are  :  Isaac  W.  Marsh,  A.  Rich- 
ards and  Martin  Dennis,  deacons  and  trustees. 

Following  is  the  list  of  pastors  :  Rev.  G.  G.  Ruff,  1895-1899; 
Rev.  Wilson  Yeisley,  1 899-1 902. 

Rev.  Willis  Beck,  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  has 
been  called  and  entered  on  his  work  in  the  Derry  parish  on 
July  ist,    1902. 


320  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 


XLVI.      SAINT  PAUIv'S   EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  MORGANTOWN,  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

Morgantown  is  the  centre  of  an  old  settlement.  The  first 
settlers  were  the  Deckers,  who  came  to  this  section  in  1759, 
and  for  whom  Decker's  Creek,  which  flows  through  the  town, 
was  named.  Others  soon  followed,  but  in  1762  or  1763,  during 
the  Indian  invasion,  they  were  all  driven  away  or  killed.  It  is 
stated  by  the  county  historian,  that  only  one  of  the  Decker 
family  escaped. 

About  1766  the  Morgan  brothers  came  and  entered  the  land 
where  the  town  is  now  located,  which,  doubtless,  thus  derived  its 
name.  It  must  have  been  founded  about  1770  or  1771,  and  was 
incorporated  as  a  borough  in  1785. 

In  1772  Michael  Kern  migrated  to  this  section  and  entered 
land  on  Decker's  Creek,  and  soon  afterwards  other  settlers  came. 

After  the  Indian  raid  several  forts  were  built  near  Morgan- 
town  for  the  protection  of  the  town  and  community.  Michael 
Kern  built  one  on  his  farm,  about  a  mile  from  town.  One  was 
built  on  the  Pierpont  place,  a  short  distance  west  of  Kerns' . 
The  Buris  Fort  was  also  in  the  vicinity,  as  well  as  Fort  Coburn. 
As  soon  as  the  Indian  trouble  was  over  Michael  Kern,  who  was 
an  earnest  Lutheran,  built  a  church  in  the  town.  It  was  a  sub- 
stantial stone  building,  which  stood  for  many  years  and  was  used 
as  a  place  of  worship.  Though  set  apart  to  the  worship  of  God 
as  a  Lutheran  church,  it  was  also  used  by  other  denominations. 
Father  Henkel,  who  was  the  patriarch  of  Lutheranism  in  Virginia, 
no  doubt  rendered  services  here,  and  probably  dedicated  this 
church.  It  was  through  him  that  Rev.  John  Slouch  came  to  this 
section  of  country  as  a  missionary.  He  took  charge  of  this 
church  in  1788.  and  continued  to  serve  it,  in  connection  with  a 
number  of  others  in  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  till  1806,  when 
he  resigned  this  field  and  removed  to  Ohio.  After  his  removal 
this  congregation  was  neglected  and  gradually  declined,  the  prop- 
erty, as  well  as  the  prestige  of  having  the  first  church  in  town, 


ST.    PAUIv  S   CHURCH,    MORGANTOWN,    W,    VA.  32 1 

were  lost  to  us.  Nothing  was  done  for  80  years  to  regain  our 
ground,   or  revive  the  interest. 

In  1886  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  began  work  here.  He 
conducted  services  for  some  time  and  purchased  a  lot  as  a  site  for 
a  church;  but  as  the  mission  committee  did  not  feel  authorized 
at  that  time  to  make  an  appropriation,  the  work  was  discon- 
tinued and  the  lot  sold. 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson,  Rev.  J. 
L-  Smith,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg  visited  Morgantown  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1897,  and  a  careful  canvass  was  made  by  these  two 
brethren  to  ascertain  what  were  the  prospects  of  establishing  a 
Lutheran  church.  Having  found  a  number  of  people  who  were 
ready  and  willing  to  enter  into  such  an  organization,  a  meeting 
was  called,  at  which  Rev.  Dr.  Smith  presided,  and  on  the  12th  of 
August,  1897,  a  congregation  of  20  members  was  organized  under 
the  title  of  "St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church".  Thus 
the  cause  of  Lutheranism  was  once  more  revived  in  Morgantown. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  which  convened  at 
Rochester,  Pa.,  on  the  27th  of  August,  1897,  a  mission  was 
established  including  St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church 
Morgantown,  and  St.  John's  church,  in  Springhill  township, 
Fayette  county,  Pa.  Rev.  Ira  M.  Wallace  was  appointed  as 
missionary.  Immediately  after  the  meeting  of  the  synod,  Rev. 
Wallace  began  work  in  his  new  field,  dividing  his  time  and  ser- 
vices between  these  two  congregations.  He  served  this  congre- 
tion  regularly  on  every  alternate  Sunday. 

In  October,  1898,  the  organization  was  perfected  by  the 
adoption  of  a  constitution  and  a  form  of  charter,  which  was 
sanctioned  by  the  court.  The  following  named  persons  were 
elected  as  ofiicers  :  W.  L.  Baker,  Amandus  Hawk,  J.  W.  Wiles, 
and  William  Schmidt. 

In  the  autumn  of  1898,  a  lot  64x116  feet  in  size,  located  on 
Main  street,  was  purchased  as  a  site  for  a  church  for  $1,800. 
The  necessity  and  feasibility  of  building  a  church  was  earnestly 
discussed,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  ascertain  how  much  could 
be  raised  to  pay  for  the  lot  and  toward  a  building  fund,  but  as 
yet  no  move  was  made  to  build. 


322  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1900,  Rev.  Wallace  resigned  St.  John's 
church,  and  from  that  time  he  devoted  all  his  services  to  St. 
Paul's,  Morgantown.  The  work  of  building  was  now  taken  up, 
a  building  committee  w-as  appointed,  consisting  of  Fuller  H. 
Wotring,  William  Schmidt,  Oscar  Gantz  and  George  Rosen- 
merkel,  and  efforts  were  made  to  raise  money. 

On  the  25th  of  Jul}',  the  excavation  of  the  foundation  was 
commenced,  and  on  the  7th  of  October  work  was  begun  on  the 
building,  and  on  the  21st  of  the  same  month  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  by  the  pastor  with  appropriate  services.  The  work  was 
carried  on  as  fast  as  circumstances  permitted,  and  on  the  loth  of 
February,  1901,  the  first  service  was  held  in  the  Sunday  School 
room. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  the  church  was  finished  and  was  dedi- 
cated to  the  worship  of  God  with  impressive  services.  Rev.  J. 
ly.  Smith,  D.  D.,  was  present  on  this  interesting  occasion,  and 
preached  the  dedication  sermon.  A  good  beginning  has  now 
been  made  in  Morgantown,  and  the  outlook  for  the  future  is 
promising.  The  church  is  a  neat  substantial  frame  building,  on 
a  good  stone  foundation.  It  is  32x50  feet  in  size,  patterned 
somew'hat  after  the  style  of  the  Braddock  chapel  in  size,  archi- 
tecture, and  finish  of  its  auditorium;  but  it  has  a  basement  for  a 
Sunday  School  room,  and  a  corner  tower  10  feet  square  and  45 
feet  high ;  has  fine  stained  glass  windows,  which  were  all 
donated,  and  most  of  which  are  memorials.  The  auditorium  has 
a  gothic  ceiling,  quartered  oak  circular  pews,  and  a  seating 
capacity  for  300  persons.  It  is  nicely  carpeted,  the  chancel  is 
handsomely  furnished,  the  altar,  pulpit  and  lecturn,  as  well  as 
the  baptismal  font,  are  all  neat  and  in  their  proper  places.  The 
latter  was  cut  out  of  a  white  sand  stone  by  the  pastor's  own 
hands.  The  church  is  heated  and  lighted  by  natural  gas ;  the 
heating  is  by  means  of  a  furnace,  and  the  lighting  by  the  Wells- 
bach  burners  and  chandeliers.  The  Sunday  School  room  is 
seated  with   chairs,  and  furnished  with  pulpit  and  organ. 

The  Sunday  School,  though  yet  small,  is  doing  good  work; 
the  pastor  is  the  superintendent,  O.  H.  Gantz,  assistant  super- 
intendent ;    Miss  Mary  Wotring,  secretary,   and  J.  J.   Wotring, 


ST.    LUKE'S   CHURCH,    MORGANTOWN,    W.    VA.  323 

treasurer.  It  is  equipped  with  a  library  of  183  volumes  and  an 
organ.  The  former  the  gift  of  the  lyUtheran  church,  Spring  City, 
and  the  latter  the  gift  of  Mr.  Horace  Bickle  of  Pittsburg, 
Pa.  It  has  raised  $397  in  the  last  several  years,  most  of  which 
was  contributed  to  the  building  fund,  and  has  donated  a  com- 
munion set  to  the  church  costing  $17.00. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  in  1897,  and  has 
been  a  most  useful  and  efhective  organization  in  the  church.  It 
has  contributed  liberally  to  the  building  fund,  and,  assisted  by 
the  Sunday  School,  it  furnished  the  organ  for  the  use  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  in  other  ways  proved  itself  an  efficient  helper.  The 
present  officers  are  :  Mrs.  Ira  M.Wallace,  president ;  Mrs.  J.  W. 
Wiles,  vice  president ;  Miss  Ella  Simpson,  secretary,  and  Mrs. 
Dr.  Hall,  treasurer. 

The  lyUther  League  was  organized  December,  1901,  with  18 
members.  It  is  a  new  element  in  the  intellectual  and  spiritual 
activities  of  the  mission,  and  affords  special  opportunities  to  the 
young  members  of  the  church  for  growth  in  knowledge  and  grace. 
Its  present  officers  are :  O.  P.  Gantz,  president ;  Geo.  SchafFer, 
vice  president ;  Miss  Nellie  Keffer,  secretary,  and  Henry  Nolte, 
treasurer. 

The  church  council  are :  Rev.  Ira  M.  Wallace,  pastor  and 
ex-officio  chairman  ;  W.  L.  Baker,  Amandus  Hawk,  J.  W.  Wiles 
and  William  Schmidt,  deacons  and  trustees. 

Rev.  Wallace  has  reported,  during  his  pastorate,  16  infant 
and  four  adult  baptisms,  14  confirmations,  18  additions  by  letters 
of  transfer,  one  death  and  several  removals,  and  a  present  mem- 
bership of  40  communicants. 

^ev.  Wallace  took  charge  in  1897,  and  is  still  the  present 
and  efficient  pastor. 


324  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 


XLVII.      TRINITY    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  CHEAT  HAVEN,  PENN'A. 

On  Christmas,  1893,  Rcv.V/.  OAVilson,  D.  D.,  and  John  Bow- 
ers selected,  and,  with  prayer,  consecrated  a  parcel  of  ground  as 
a  site  for  a  Lutheran  church. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  1894,  John  W.  Bowers  and  Annie 
E. ,  his  wife,  conveyed  this  same  piece  of  ground,  being  lots  Nos. 
27  and  28,  in  Cheat  Haven  borough,  to  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson  and 
Joseph  G.  Lyon,  in  trust,  as  a  site  for  a  Lutheran  church,  in  the 
hope  one  might  soon  be  erected  on  it. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  1894,  ^  Sunday  School  v/as  organized 
in  a  hall  in  Cheat  Haven,  made  up  of  the  families  living  in  and 
near  the  village.  John  W.  Bowers  was  elected  superintendent. 
Though  it  was  small  in  its  beginning,  it  was  carried  on  faithfully 
and  grew  in  numbers  and  increased  in  its  influence.  By  and  by 
the  Sunday  School  became  a  necessity,  and  a  desire  was 
expressed  that  a  church  home  might  be  provided  for  the  people 
of  this  town.  On  the  25th  of  November,  1894,  ^  meeting  of  the 
people  interested  was  called,  to  consider  the  feasibility  of  build- 
ing a  church.  After  a  thorough  discussion  of  the  matter  it  was 
resolved  to  build  a  chapel  at  Cheat  Haven  "for  the  benefit  of  the 
scattered  members  of  our  church  and  the  strangers  within  our 
gates."  Soon  after  this  action  was  taken,  a  beginning  was 
made,  a  plan  adopted,  .subscriptions  solicited  and  a  contract 
given.  Earl}^  in  1S95,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Wilson  with  appropriate  services. 

On  the  6th  of  January,  1896,  Rev.  Wilson  held  the  first 
service  in  the  chapel,  though  it  was  not  finished.  From  this 
time  on  services  were  conducted  and  the  Sunday  School  was  held 
in  the  chapel,  and  on  the  20th  of  September,  it  was  set  apart  to 
the  worship  of  God.  Rev.  J.  K.  Melhorn  preached  the  dedica- 
tion sermon  and  Dr.  Wilson  performed  the  act  of  consecration. 

On  the  2nd  of  June,  1897,  Mr.  Charles  E.  Dozer,  a  student 
of   Mt.    Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  took   temporary   charge  of 


TRINITY   CHURCH,    CHEAT   HAVEN,    PA.  325 

this  field,  including  St.  John's  and  Cheat  Haven,  and  rendered 
satisfactory  service.  At  a  meeting  held  in  St.  John's  church, 
when  its  relations  to  Cheat  Haven  mission  were  discussed, 
a  resolution  was  passed  recognizing  Cheat  Haven  as  an  integral 
part  of  St.  John's.  On  the  19th  of  September,  1897,  Rev.  Ira 
M.  Wallace  took  charge  of  St.  John's  and  Cheat  Haven.  Soon 
after  he  came  on  the  field,  members  of  St.  John's  church 
objected  to  the  action  in  the  matter  of  Cheat  Haven,  and  at  their 
request,  a  congregational  meeting  was  called  on  the  i6th  of 
October  when  that  action  was  reconsidered  and  rescinded.  This 
was  a  bitter  disappointniLnt  to  the  Uitle  baud  at  Cheat  Haven; 
but  since  the  mother  church  refused  to  acknowledge  them  as  a 
branch  or  part  of  itself,  there  remained  only  this  alternative; 
either  to  disband  and  give  up  the  whole  field,  or  become  a 
separate  congregation.  They  felt  that  they  could  not  abandon 
the  enterprise,  therefore  they  resolved  to  organize  themselves 
into  a   congregation. 

On  the  2nd  of  January,  1898,  "Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church' '  was  organized  with  1 1  members,  John  W.  Bowers  and 
George  W.  Baker  were  elected  elders,  and  John  Gibson  and  Wm. 
Emery,  deacons.  Later,  Joseph  Lyons  and  Judson  Morgan  were 
added  to  the  council  as  deacon  and  elder,  respectively.  These 
persons,  including  Rev.W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  the  pastor,  were  the 
charter  members.  The  charter  was  granted  by  the  Court  of 
Fayette  county  at  the  June  term,  1900.  At  the  present  time  the 
membership  is  30,  and  the  Sunday  School  has  50  scholars,  five 
teachers  and  three  officers.  Rev.  Wilson  conducts  services  twice 
a  month.  The  attendance  at  these  services,  as  well  as  at  the 
Sunday  School,  is  encouraging. 

On  Christmas,  1900,  a  free- will  offering  was  made  sufficient 
to  cancel  all  indebtedness  on  the  chapel,  and  at  the  same  time 
Messrs.  J.  J.  Gibson  and  P.  H.  Conley,  friends  of  the  congrega- 
tion, donated  a  fine  1200  pound  bell,  whicli  was  hung  in  a  tower 
built  by  the  pastor.  The  bell  was  rung  for  the  first  time  on 
Christmas  morning,  to  the  joy  of  the  members  and  friends  of 
the  congregation. 

Rev.  Wilson  has  not  only  rendered  his  services  without  com- 


326  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

pensation,  but  has  also  contributed  largely  to  the  building  of  the 
chapel.  He  has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  labors  and 
sacrifices  have  not  been  in  vain,  and  we  believe  the  time  will  come 
when  those  who  now  oppose  this  movement  will  confess  that  it 
was  wise. 

Rev.  Wilson  has  made  the  following  report  of  his  work  im 
this  congregation  during  his  pastorate  :  Ten  baptisms,  17  confir- 
mations, 13  additions  by  letters  of  transfer,  a  loss  of  10  by 
removal  and  otherwise,  and  a  present  membership  of  thirty. 

The  church  council  remains  the  same  as  it  has  been  for 
several  years,  and  Rev.  W.  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  who  organized  it 
in    1898,    is  the  psesent  pastor. 


XLVIII.     SAINT  PAUL'S    EVANGKLICAL    LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  NEW  KENSINGTON  PENN'A. 

In  the  spring  ot  1900,  Rev.  R.  E.  McDaniel,  Ph.  D.,  of 
Springdale,  Pa.,  began  to  hold  services  in  New  Kensington,  and 
on  the  nth  of  June  he  organized  a  congregation  of  ten  members, 
under  the  title  of  "St.  Paul's  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church."  He 
continued  to  hold  services  till  June,  1901,  when  he  resigned. 
He  reported  two  baptisms,  two  confirmations  and  five  additions 
by  letters  of  transfer,  and  a  membership  of  21  communicants. 

With  the  approval  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  Trinity,  Verona 
and  St.  Paul's,  New  Kensington,  were  constituted  a  parish.  On 
the  17th  of  November,  1901,  Rev.  H.  S.  Gilbert  of  Allegheny 
City,  was  called  and  became  pastor  of  this  parish  on  the  ist  of 
December.  When  he  took  charge  he  found  only  17  effective 
members  in  connection  with  the  congregation.  He  has  held 
services  on  every  Sunday  and  also  conducted  the  Sunday  School. 
He  has  made  a  good  beginning  in  this  field.     When  the  synod 


ST.    PAUL'S   CHURCH,    NEW   KENSINGTON,    PA.  327 

met  in  May,  1902,  he  reported  an  addition  of  21  members  during 
the  six  months  of  his  pastorate  and  a  prosperous  and  growing 
Sunday  School. 

Early  in  1902,  a  church  was  purchased  from  the  M.  E.  con- 
gregation for  a  nominal  sum,  which  was  removed  to  another  lot, 
that  had  been  purchased,  was  remodeled  and  repaired,  and  has  been 
made  a  very  comfortable  house  of  worship.  It  has  a  neat  audi- 
torium, which  will  seat  200  to  250  persons,  a  good  Sunday 
School  room  and  a  primary  room. 

The  building  is  30x83  feet  in'size,  and  the  whole  cost  was 
$1,800.  It  was  dedicated  on  the  25th  of  May,  1902.  Rev. 
Edmund  Belfour,  D.  D.,  president  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod, 
assisted  the  pastor  at  these  services.  Rev.  Gilbert  feels  much 
encouraged  with  the  prospects  of  the  congregation,  and  the 
people  look  forward  with  bright  hopes,  for  an  active  young 
pastor,  an  earnest,  energetic  people  and  a  live  Sunday  School, 
promise  a  successful  future  for  a  congregation. 


XIvIX.     ST.  MARK'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  ARONA,  WESTMORELAND,  CO.,  PA. 

Services  were  conducted  at  Arona  for  several  years  by  the 
Lutheran  pastors  at  Seanor's  and  Brush  Creek,  and  in  1895,  Rev. 
George  S.  Seaman  formed  a  provisional  congregation  ;  but  it  was 
not  made  permanent  during  his  pastorate. 

In  1897,  Rev.  J.  Sarver,  D.  D.,  of  New  Stanton,  and  Rev. 
Philip  Doerr  of  Adamsburg,  held  services  here,  jointly,  which 
were  continued  for  several  years.  In  the  spring  of  1900,  a  move 
was  made  to  build  a  church,  and  on  the  8th  of  July  the  comer- 
stone  was  laid  by  Revs.  Sarver  and  Doerr. 

On  the  3d  of  February,   1901,  the  church  was  set  apart  to 


328  SOUTHKRN   CONFERKNCR." 

the  worship  of  God.  Revs.  J.  C.  Kunzman,  D.  D.,  S.  K. 
Herbster,  Frank  S.  Beistel  and  A.  L.  Yoiint,  D.  D. ,  were  pres- 
Mit  and  assisted  Revs.  Sarver  and  Doerr  at  these  services. 

The  church  is  a  neat  brick  building,  34x50  feet  in  size  and 
has  a  seating  capacitj-  for  300  persons.  It  is  nicely  finished  and 
furnished,  and  the  cost  was  $3,000,  all  of  which  was  provided 
for.  The  Honorable  Andrew  Carnegie  donated  a  suitable  organ 
to  the  congregation,  which  was  permanent!}^  organized  soon  after 
the  dedication  of  the  church.  It  has  a  membership  of  some  50 
communicants,  but,  as  yet,  has  no  settled  pastor.  Rev.  C.  I,. 
Streamer  of  Cribbs,  P.  O.,  is  serving  it  at  present. 


L.     SAINT  LUKE'S  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN 
CHURCH,  YOUNGWOOD,  PA. 

Regular  preaching  of  the  Word  was  begun  here,  in  Ken- 
nedy's school  house,  by  Rev.  A.  h.  Yount,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the 
First  Church,  Greensburg,  early  in  1900,  and  was  maintained 
without  interruption  until  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the 
congregation.  Revs.  Drs.  J.  Sarver,  J.  C.  Kunzmann ;  W.  F- 
Ulery  and  Prof.  W.  H.  Zuber  assisted  at  different  times  by  fill- 
ing appointments.  On  July,  21,  1901,  a  meeting  was  called,  a 
preliminary  organization  formed,  and  committees  were  appointed 
to  draft  a  charter  and  constitution,  to  report  on  membership  and 
as  to  location  for  a  church.  On  Augusts,  1901,  another  meet- 
ing was  held  at  the  residence  of  H.  M.  McFeaters,  when  the 
charter  and  constitution  reported  by  the  committee  were  con- 
sidered and  approved,  and  the  congregation  was  organized,  ten 
members  entering  into  the  organization,  while  other  Lutherans 
residing  in  the  vicinity  entered  into  hearty  co-operation,  but  did 
not  desire  at  once  to  withdraw  from  their  present  connection. 


.■iAI.NT     I'AlLt;.     XKW     KENSrXGTd.N. 


■i'HINITV     i-nrKcH.     VKUONA. 


II.   «.    (iiLHKirr. 


■;a1,KM    swiausH    i'H|-[-;r]i.    (;rkknsiu:|! 


ST.    LUKE'S    CHURCH,    YOUNGWOOD,    PA.  329 

The  following  brethren  were  elected  deacons  :  H.  G.  Wineman, 
J.  Elmer  Wineman,  Jacob  E.  Wineman,  H.  M.  McFeaters,  W. 
J.  Rumniel,  Cyrus  H.  VanDyke  and  A.  C.  Miller. 

Rev.  A.  ly.  Yount,  D.  D. ,  was  elected  pastor  of  the  congre- 
gation and  at  once  took  charge  of  the  same,  serving  until  Jan- 
uary, I,  1902,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to  allow  the  congrega- 
tion to  call  a  pastor  who  could  give  more  attention  to  the  work. 
The  charter  was  approved  by  the  court  of  Westmoreland  county 
on  the  i8th  of  December,  1901,  and  soon  after  this  time  the 
transfer  by  deed  in  fee  simple  of  two  most  elligible  lots,  situated 
on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Walnut  streets,  purchased  from  the 
Land  company,  for  $312,00,  was  made  in  due  form,  and  the  lots 
were  paid  for  in  full  by  the  congregation. 

Immediately  after  the  resignation  of  Pastor  Yount,  the  Rev. 
Prof.  Geo.  J,  Gongaware  of  Greensburg,  was  called  and  became 
pastor  on  the  first  day  of  February,  1902.  Soon  after  he  began 
his  labors  steps  were  taken  looking  to  the  erection  of  a  house  of 
worship.  An  architect  was  employed  who  prepared  plans  and 
specifications  for  a  church  to  cost  about  $5,000.  These  were 
finally  adopted,  and  all  is  now  about  in  readiness  (July,  1902,  ) 
to  begin  the  work  of  building.  The  services  are  being  con- 
ducted in  the  chapel  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  until  the 
congregation  shall  have  provided  itself  with  a  church,  which,  it 
is  confidently  expected,  will  be  accomplished  at  an  early  date. 

This  enterprise  is  receiving  the  hearty  and  liberal  support  of 
a  number  of  Lutherans  and  others  in  the  vicinity,  and  bids  fair 
to  increase  rapidly  in  numbers  and  strength,  as  the  village  itself 
increases  in  size  and  population,  under  the  efiicient  pastoral  care 
of  Rev.  Prof.  Gongaware. 


330  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 


LI.     TRINITY   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH, 
VANDERGRIFT  HEIGHTS,  PENN'A. 

The  first  semces  were  held  in  this  place  on  the  2 2d  of 
September,  1901,  and  on  the  5th  of  October,  following,  a  con- 
gregation of  ten  members  was  organized  by  Rev.  George  S. 
Seaman,  Missionary  President  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 

After  the  organization  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Heist,  of  the  Min- 
icfpn'iitv.  of  Pennsylvania  was  appointed  Missionary,  who  is  now 
the  regular  pastor.  He  conducts  services  on  every  Sunday 
morning  and  evening,  and  also  superintends  the  Sunday  School. 
H»  has  added  seven  to  the  communicant  membership  in  the  few 
Short  months  of  his  pastorate  and  has  organized  a  Sunday  School 
of  50  scholars  with  a  band  of  officers  and  teachers. 

Services  are  now  held  in  the  town  hall,  but  a  move  is  being 
made  to  secure  a  location  and  take  steps  toward  the  erection  of  a 
church.  God  speed  Rev.  Heist,  and  his  co-workers,  in  this 
undertaking. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1902,  St.  Stephen's  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church  of  Smithton,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  was 
incorporated  with  12  members. 


CHURCHKS  NOT  CONNECTED  WITH  CONFERENCE,    33 1 


CHURCHES  NOT  CONNECTED  WITH  THE  SOUTH- 
ERN CONFERENCE. 

There  are  several  Lutheran  churches  located  in  the  bounds 
of  the  Southern  Conference,  not  in  connection  with  it,  namely, 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  churches  of  Irwin  and  Greensburg; 
Hankey's  or  Christ  church,  in  Franklin  township;  Bethesda,  in 
Allegheny  township ;  Zion,  in  Hempfield ;  Denmark,  in  Penn,  and 
Trinity,  Connellsville,  Pa.  Of  these  the  Swedish  churches  are 
members  of  the  Augustana  Synod,  all  the  rest  are  in  the  Gen- 
eral Synod. 

The  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Irwin,  Pennsylvania  was 
built  in  1877.  The  congregation  was  organized  several  years 
earlier.  The  church  has  since  been  remodeled  and  enlarged, 
and  is  now  a  very  neat  and  commodious  house  of  worship.  The 
congregation  has  had  a  rapid  growth,  and  is  now  a  large,  self- 
sustaining  parish.  It  belongs  to  the  Swedish  Augustana  Synod. 
Rev.  O.  Chilleen  is  the  present  pastor. 

The  Salem  Swedish  congregation  of  Greensburg,  was  organ- 
ized some  eight  years  ago,  in  Zion's  church,  with  a  small  band  of 
people.  It  now  numbers  about  200  members,  and  has  a  large 
Sunday  School  and  a  Parochial  School.  A  few  years  ago  it 
built  a  good  brick-cased  church,  50x60  feet  in  size.  It  has  an 
auditorium  that  will  seat  350  people,  and  a  good  Sunday  School 
room.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  $5,000,  most  of  which 
has  been  paid.     Rev.  N.  P.  Anseen  is  the  present  pastor. 

Hankey's  is  an  old  congregation,  which  was  no  doubt  or- 
ganized by  Father  John  M.  Steck,  early  in  the  last  century.  It 
has  a  good,  plain  church  and  a  membership  of  127.  Bethesda  was 
organized  over  50  years  ago,  by  Rev.  David  Earhart,  who  built 
the  first  cnurch.  It  has  a  communicant  membership  of  100. 
Rev.  J.  C.  Lerch  of  Sardis,  is  the  pastor  of  these  two  churches. 

Zion's,  a  branch  of  Old  Zion  atHarrold's,  which  has  already 
been  noticed   in   the    history  of  Harrold's  congregation,  has  a 


332  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

membership  of  over  loo.  Rev.  Chas.  h.  Streamer  of  Cribbs, 
P.  O.,  is  the  present  pastor. 

Denmark  church,  Manor,  has  also  been  noted  in  the  history 
of  St.  John's,  Manor,  It  has  a  small  membership  and  is  joined 
to  a  parish  in  Allegheny  county. 

Trinity,  Connellsville,  was  organized  in  1884,  by  a  minister 
of  the  Allegheny  Synod,  out  of  members  who  withdrew  from 
the  St.  John's  German  church.  It  now  has  a  membership  of  300 
communicants,  and  owns  a  fine  church  and  a  parsonage.  Rev. 
Ellis  B,  Burgess  is  the  present  pastor. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  New  Florence  also 
belongs  to  this  class.  This  congregation  has  been  orgauiztjd  for 
many  years  and  has  passed  through  many  vicissitudes.  Its 
membership  is  small,  but  it  has  made  some  progress  during  the 
last  few  years.  It  has  suffered  much  loss  from  two  causes. 
Frequent  change  of  pastors  and  long  vacancies.  Both  are  very 
damaging  to  the  permanent  growth  of  a  congregation.  Here 
we  may  be  permitted  to  add  a  word  on  this  important  point. 

Our  experience,  as  well  as  our  study  of  the  history  of  the 
churches  has  convinced  us  that  frequent  changes  are  damaging 
to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  a  congregation  and  ought  to  be 
avoided  if  possible.  The  pastoral  relation  contemplates  perpe- 
tuity and  is  intended  to  secure  stability.  Other  things  being 
equal,  long  pastorates  bring  the  best  results,  in  gathering  and 
uniting  the  members  and  promoting  the  permanent  growth  and 
stability  of  the  congregation. 


REV.    ANTON   UI,RICH    LUEITGI).  33: 


BIOGRAPHIES  OF  OUR  PASTORS. 


The  following  pages  contain  brief  biographies  of  the  min- 
isters who  have  labored  on  the  territory  now  included  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Southern  Conference  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  of 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  as  well  as  those  now  con- 
nected with  the  Conference.  We  shall  first  give  the  biographies 
of  the  deceased  ministers  in  the  chronological  order  of  their 
death.  We  concede  the  first  place  to  the  fathers,  who  laid  the 
foundations  here,  and  to  whom  we  are  deeply  indebted  for  what 
we  now  have  and  are. 

Each  minister's  name  is  placed  according  to  the  date  of  his 
death,  and  we  have  given  fuller  details  of  those  whose  life  is 
completed,  and  whose  work  is  done,  than  we  could  do  of  the 
living  ministers.  The  biographies  of  the  latter  are  brief.  We 
have  tried  to  give  a  true  account  of  each  man's  work;  but  have 
carefully  avoided  any  statement  that  might  be  construed  into 
mere  flattery.  We  believe  that  it  will  give  better  satisfaction  to 
all,  and  will  be  more  conducive  to  the  honor  and  good  name  of 
each,  to  state  the  facts  and  let  the  reader  draw  his  own  inferences. 

The  biographies  of  the  living  ministers  are  given  in  alpha- 
betical order,  hoping  that  our  motives  will  be  appreciated,  and 
that  the  work  will  be  considered  worthy  of  the  subjects  treated, 
we  herewith  submit  it  to  the  public. 

Rev.  Anton  Ulrich  IvUETGE  (i  782-1 796)  was  a  German 
by  birth  and  education.  He  received  his  early  training,  as  well 
as  his  classical  and  theological  education,  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  land.  Emigrating  to  America  when  he  was  yet  a  young 
man,  and  having  the  conviction  that  he  was  called  to  preach  the 
gospel,   he  accepted  private  ordination.     In  1782  he  came  to  the 


334  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Zion  settlement,  in  answer  to  a  call  from  the  congregations  at 
Harrold's  and  Brush  Creek,  and  became  pastor  of  this  new  field. 

He  was  the  first  Lutheran  minister  who  settled  in  this  part 
of  Pennsj-lvania.  He  began  to  hold  services  regularly  in  these 
congregations  and  by  and  by  he  added  others.  He  finished  the 
log  church  at  Harrold's  and  completed  the  organization.  He 
also  perfected  the  organization  at  Brush  Creek,  and  built  a 
church  there.  He  also  held  services  at  St.  Paul's,  Ridge,  and  at 
Greensburg,  and  formed  provisional  organizations  at  these  points. 
He  did  missionary  work  at  other  places  with  a  fair  measure 
of  success. 

In  1785,  he  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Ministerium  of 
Pennsylvania  and  asked  to  be  received  as  an  ordained  minister; 
but  he  was  not  received,  for  his  ordination  was  not  considered 
regular,  as  it  had  been  performed  without  the  sanction  of  the 
synod.  When  he  consented  to  become  a  candidate,  and  accepted 
license  from  the  synod,  he  was  received  as  a  member. 

The  fathers  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  were  very 
careful  whom  they  accepted  as  an  ordained  minister,  for  they 
set  a  high  value  on  ordination.  No  man  was  ordained  on  first 
examination.  All  new  candidates  had  to  serve  as  licentiates  for 
several  years,  at  least  before  they  could  be  ordained.  They  had 
to  be  thoroughly  tested  before  the  Ministerium  would  lay  hands 
on  them  in  ordination.  Thus  we  find  that  Luetge,  Steck  and 
Stauch,  all  served  for  years  as  catechists  and  licentiates  before 
they  were  ordained.  This  may  seem  radical  to  us  now,  but  it 
doubtless  had  its  advantages  then.  There  is  danger  even  now  of 
laying  hands  too  suddenly  on  young  men  in  ordination. 

Rev.  Luetge  continued  his  work  in  this  field  till  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1 79 1,  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  from  Ship- 
pensburg,  Cumberland  county,  where  he  labored  for  three  years 
with  very  good  results,  as  his  reports  show. 

In  1784  he  was  called  to  Chambersburg,  Franklin  county, 
where  he  continued  his  work  till  1796,  when  the  Master  sum- 
moned him  to  his  reward.  His  mortal  remains  were  laid  away 
in  a  cemetery  near  Chambersburg,  with  the  benediction  of  a 
Christian  burial. 


RKV.    JOHN   MICHAKI.  STECK.  335 

Rev.  John  Michael  Steck  (i  784-1 830)  was  born  on  the 
5th  of  October,  1756,  in  Germantown,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
was  also  brought  up  and  received  his  preparatory  education.  He 
pursued  his  theological  studies  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Hel- 
muth  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  a  leader  in  the  Ministerium  at 
that  time,  and  was  a  fine  theologian. 

In  1784,  Rev.  Steck  was  licensed  and  accepted  a  call  from 
Chambersburg,  Franklin  county,  where  he  labored  successfully 
for  four  years.  He  ministered  regularly  to  the  people  of  his 
parish  and  performed  hundreds  of  infant  baptisms  ;  instructed 
large  classes  of  catechumens :  added  many  to  the  church  by 
the  rite  of  confirmation,  and  performed  the  rites  of  Christian 
burial  for  not  a  few. 

In  1788  he  was  sent  as  a  missionary  to  Bedford  county, 
which  then  included  the  territory  now  Somerset  and  Fulton  coun- 
ties, where  he  labored  for  four  years  with  great  diligence  and  with 
remarkable  success.  He  preached  wherever  he  found  settlements 
of  German  people. 

In  the  summer  of  1792  he  received  a  call  from  the  field  in 
Westmoreland  county,  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Rev. 
Luetge,  which  he  accepted.  He  took  up  the  work  where  his 
predecessor  had  left  it,  with  earnestness  and  fidelity,  conducting 
services  regularl}'  once  a  month  at  each  place.  He  was  a  mission- 
ary here,  as  well  as  he  had  been  in  the  field  he  had  recently  left,  and 
sought  out  the  settlements  of  Germans,  who  at  that  time  were  gen- 
erally Lutheran  and  Reformed  people,  and  ministered  to  them.  It 
is  said  of  him  by  his  biographer,  that  he  was  a  most  excellent  and 
successful  catechist.  He  was  also  an  earnest  preacher  and  a 
faithful  pastor  ;  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  congregations,  who 
bore  written  testimony  to  the  synod  of  their  kindly  feeling 
toward  him.  and  of  their  satisfaction  with  his  services.  He  was  a 
laborious  and  self-denying  minister  and  his  work  was  crowned 
with  eminent   success. 

For  many  years  he  was  the  only  lyUtheran  minister  in  this 
vast  field,  composed  of  Westmoreland  county  and  adjacent  parts. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  for  34 
years,  which  had  both  licensed  and  ordained  him. 


336  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

In  1818,  when  the  Ohio  Synod  was  organized,  he  connected 
himself  with  that  bod)^,  and  continued  to  be  an  honored  member 
till  his  death.  In  1822  he  was  made  a  senior  of  that  synod. 
He  labored  for  38  years  in  Westmoreland  county,  organized 
man}^  congregations  and  laid  the  foundation  for  others,  that  were 
organized  later.  Father  John  M.  Steck  was  the  patriarch  of 
Lutheranism  in  the  county.  Think  what  work  he  did  in  38 
5^ears  !  How  many  baptisms  he  performed,  how  many  persons  he 
confirmed,  how  many  he  joined  in  marriage,  how  many  he 
comforted  in  the  dying  hour,  and  how  many  he  committed  to  the 
grave  with  the  benediction  of  a  Christian  burial. 

He  continued  to  work  in  his  Master's  vineyard  till  he  was 
summoned  to  his  reward.  After  a  short  illness  he  fell  asleep  on 
the  14th  of  July,  1830,  and  on  the  i6th  his  mortal  remains  were 
laid  away  in  the  German  cemetery,  Greensburg,  with  impressive 
services.  Revs.  N.  P.  Hacke,  D.  D.,  and  Jonas  Mechling 
conducted  his  funeral  in  the  presence  of  a  large  congregation. 

In  1785,  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  was  married  to  Miss  Esther 
Haffner,  of  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  and  was  the  father  of  13  chil- 
dren. He  was  the  grand  ancestor  of  the  well  known  and  repu- 
table Steck  family  in  this  county.  His  son,  Michael  J.,  became  a 
minister  and  was  the  successor  of  his  venerable  father. 

Rev.  John  Stauch  (i  787-1 845).  Godfried  Stauch  emi- 
granted  from  Germany  about  the  year  1 740,  and  settled  in  York 
county,  Pa.,  and  married  a  woman  of  noble  birth.  John,  his  son, 
was  born  on  the  25th  of  January,  1762.  He  was  consecrated  to 
God  in  infancy  by  holy  baptism ,  and  when  he  was  1 3  years  old 
he  became  a  communicant  member  of  the  church  by  confirma- 
tion, under  the  ministry  ot  Rev.  Rouse. 

Brought  up  in  a  Christian  home,  and  under  the  influence  of 
a  pious  mother,  he  was  early  inclined  to  devote  himself  to  the 
ministry,  but  his  early  education,  as  far  as  it  pertained  to  the 
schools,  was  limited.  When  he  was  19  years  old  he  consulted  his 
pastor  about  preparing  himself  to  preach  the  gospel,  but  he  gave 
him  no  encouragement.  Therefore  he  gave  up  his  purpose  to 
devote  himself  to  the  ministry,  for  the  time  being,  and  learned  a 
trade.     When  he  was  26  years  old  he  married  Miss  Haguemire  of 


REV.    JOHN  STAUCH.  337 

Hagerstown,  Md.,  who  belonged  to  one  of  the  first  families  of 
that  town.  The  old  desire  to  be  a  minister  was  revived  in  his 
heart  and  he  determined  to  prepare  for  the  work.  After  spend- 
ing some  time  in  preparation  he  removed,  with  his  wife,  to  the 
glades  of  Virginia  and  engaged  in  mission  work.  He  was  now 
under  the  instructions  and  direction  of  Rev.  Paul  Henkel. 

After  he  had  been  in  Virginia  six  years  his  wife  died,  and 
he  returned  with  his  3'oung  children  to  Hagerstown  where  he 
remained  only  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  to  his  mission  in 
Virginia.  He  also  took  up  work  in  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  where 
he  resided  for  about  1 5  years.  He  conducted  services  at  a  dozen 
places,  whilst  he  lived  at  Jacob's  church,  in  Virginia  and  in  Penn- 
sylvania, till  1806, when  he  removed  to  Columbiana  county,  Ohio. 

He  made  twelve  long  missionary  trips  through  Ohio  and 
neighboring  states.  On  one  of  these,  he  held  services  in  the 
woods  where  he  baptized  28  children.  He  often  instructed 
hundreds  of  j^oung  people  at  one  time  for  confirmation,  organ- 
ized many  congregations,  and  laid  the  foundation  for  many  more 
that  were  organized  by  his  successors.  He  continued  this  mis- 
sionary work  for  some  23  years  in  Ohio.  He  has  given  some 
interesting  facts  in  his  autobiography  about  his  ministerial  life. 
He  says  : 

"I  have  always  mourned  over  the  golden  time  I  lost  from 
school  in  my  youth,  which  has  caused  me  to  labor  under  great 
disadvantages  for  want  of  a  liberal  education.  My  principal  text 
books  for  50  years  have  been,  Stacke's  Commentary,  Spencer's 
Explanations  of  Luther's  Five  Principles,  my  catechism,  my 
hymn  book  and  Holy  Bible. 

"I  am  now  a  feeble,  old  man  and  expect  soon  to  die.  If  I 
have  made  enemies  I  implore  their  forgiveness.  I  tender  my 
unfeigned  thanks  to  my  fellowmen  for  the  many  favors  conferred 
on  me,  in  my  travels  and  in  my  pursuits  in  the  world.  To  God 
be  all  the  glory  for  the  good,  which  I  have  been  instrumental  in 
doing  in  the  world.  May  God  the  father.  Son  and  Holy  Ghost 
forgive  my  sins  and  save  my  soul.     Amen. 

"I  have  lived  in  God's  beautiful  world  for  8r  years.  More 
than  50  years  of  my  life  have  been  spent  in  preaching  the  gospel. 


338  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

To  do  this  work  I  have  travelled  over  100,000  miles,  preached 
over  fO,ooo  sermons,  labored  in  seven  different  states  of  the 
Union.  I  confirmed  1,516  persons  and  baptized  double  that 
number  ;  married  481  couples,  and  attended  nearly  that  many 
funerals.     I  never  missed  an  appointment  on  account  of  sickness. 

"Money  was  nev^er  my  object  in  preaching,  consequently  I 
have  never  been  burdened  with  it,  but  I  always  had  an  econom- 
ical family,  and,  therefore,  was  never  pressed  with  poverty.  Not 
a  day  has  passed  during  70  3ears  without  an  acknowledgement 
of  my  sins  to  the  eternal  Jehovah.  I  have  enjo^-ed  a  thousand 
pleasures  for  one  pain.  I  have  raised  a  family  of  six  sons  and 
seven  daughters,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  " 

In  1829  he  removed  toCraw^ford  count}-,  Ohio,  w^here  he 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  eventful  life.  He  still  preached,  but 
did  not  do  missionary  work  as  he  had  formerly  done.  He  died 
in  1845,  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age.  His  end  was  peaceful  and 
happy.  At  sunset,  on  a  beautiful  da}-,  surrounded  by  his  family 
and  friends,  beholding  the  lovely  golden  sky,  he  commended  his 
spirit  to  God  and  sv^eetly  passed  away.  His  mortal  remains 
were  laid  away  in  the  Lutheran  cemetery  near  Bucyrus,  Ohio, 
with  a  becoming  Christian  burial. 

In  1795,  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Miss  Catharine 
Troutman,  of  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  by  Rev.  Paul  Henkel,  of 
Virginia.     They  lived  in  happy  union   for  50  years. 

Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  (181 6-1848).  Michael  J.,  the  son 
of  Rev.  John  M.  Steck,  was  born  on  the  ist  of  May,  1793,  in 
Greensburg,  Pa.  He  was  consecrated  to  God  in  childhood  by 
Holy  baptis.m,  and  showed  early  in  youth  that  he  possessd  the 
qualities  of  mind,  as  well  as  the  desire  for  the  Christian  ministry, 
and  his  course  of  study  was  directed  with  this  calling  in  view. 
After  his  preparatory  course  was  completed,  he  studied  theology 
with  his  father,  and  Rev.  John  Schnee  of  Pittsburg. 

In  June,  181 6,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the 
Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.  For  a  few  months  he  assisted  his 
father  in  his  vast  field,  but  in  December,  1816,  he  was  called  to 


REV.    MICHAEL  J.    STECK.  339 

L,ancaster,  Ohio,  wliere  he  labored  successfully  for  13  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1829,  at  the  call  of  the  Greensburg  parish,  as  well  as 
the  earnest  request  of  his  father,  whose  health  was  failing,  he 
became  assistant  pastor. 

In  1830,  when  Rev.  John  M.  Steck  was  called  to  his  reward 
Rev.  Michael  J.,  became  his  successor.  It  is  difficult  to  form  an 
estimate  of  the  labors  and  self-denials  connected  with  his  min- 
istry. His  vast  fie  d,  his  mode  of  travel  over  it  to  points  10,  20, 
even  30  mi'es  distant  from  his  home,  and  his  numerous  congre- 
gations and  preaching  stations,  will  give  us  some  idea  of  the 
hardships  which  he  endured  in  the  performance  of  his  official 
duties.  He  had  for  many  years  from  eight  to  ten  congregations, 
often  preached  three  and  four  times  on  a  Sunday,  and  not  un- 
frequently  during  the  week,  and  frequently  incurred  no  little 
danger  in  filling  distant  appointments.  It  is  estimated  that  dur- 
ing his  ministry  of  32  years  he  preached  8,000  sermons,  baptized 
5,000  children,  and  confirmed  over  2,000  adults,  performed  over 
1,000  marriages  and  pronounced  the  burial  services  over  hun- 
dreds of  his  members. 

The  wiiter  knew  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  personally  and  often 
heard  him  preach.  His  name  has  beccme  a  household  word  in 
our  church  in  Westmoreland  county.  We  have  often  heard  his 
ministry  spoken  of  by  the  people  with  marked  affection  and  ap- 
probation. When  any  of  his  successors  would  say  or  do  any- 
thing that  pleased  them  well  they  would  say:  "So  hat  es  der 
Pfahrer  Steck  gemacht.  ' '  (  That  is  the  way  pastor  Steck  used 
to  do.  ) 

Rev.  Steck  was  eminently  practical,  and  understood  the  in- 
terests of  the  Lutheran  church  better  than  most  of  his  contempo- 
raries. He  worked  earnestly  for  the  introduction  of  English 
services,  and,  in  1847,  he  took  the  preliminary  steps  toward  the 
organization  of  an  Knglish  congregation  in  Greensburg.  He 
iinited  the  qualities  of  a  gcod  preacher  and  a  successful  pastor  in 
a  high  degree.  He  had  a  commanding  presence,  a  strong  and 
musical  voice  and  distinct  articulation.  His  manner  in  the 
pulpit  was  natural,  his  style  simple,  and  his  delivery  earnest  and 
impressive.     His  matter  was   always  Evangelical  and  Scriptural. 


340  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Though  a  strong  and  effective  preacher,  he  was  far  removed 
from  vanity  and  pride.  To  rebuke  this  spirit  in  yoiiu'j;  men  he 
would  sometimes  tell  this  story  :  On  a  certain  occasion  before  his 
licensure,  he  was  sent  bj'  '•^is  instructor  in  theology  to  conduct  a 
funeral.  The  services  were  held  at  the  house  of  the  deceased. 
During  the  address,  on  account  of  his  natural  timidly,  his  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  floor,  but  near  the  close  of  his  address  he 
gained  courage  enough  to  look  up,  and  saw  an  old  man  whom  he 
knew  well  shedding  tears.  Thinking  his  address  was  making  such 
an  impression  he  took  fresh  courage  and  finished  his  discourse 
with  increased  energy.  As  soon  as  the  services  were  closed  the 
old  man  came  to  him  and  said  :  "O,  Mike,  ich  bin  doch  so  froh 
dass  du  bist  glucklich  fertig  vvorde,  Ich  war  so  bangdu  thaetest 
stecke  bleibe  I  hab  musse  heule.  "  (  O  Mike  I  am  so  glad  you 
got  through,  I  was  so  afraid  you  would  stick  that  I  had  to  cry.) 

His  earnestness  in  the  pulpit  is  illustrated  by  another  inci- 
dent, related  to  us  by  an  eye  witness.  Not  long  before  confir- 
mation day,  a  niunber  of  his  catechumens  attended  an  old  time 
shooting  match,  a  place  where  games  of  chance  and  drinking 
were  the  ord^.  r  of  the  day.  Rev.  Father  Steck  considered  it 
his  solemn  duty  to  rebuke  this  offence  publicly-  He  became  so 
wrought  up  in  his  discourse  that  he  took  his  coat  off  and  preached 
in  his  shirt  sleeves,  and  delivered  his  sermon  with  such  energy 
and  power  that  there  was  not  a  dry  eye  in  that  audience,  in  the 
Brush  Creek  church.  The  3"oung  men  who  had  given  offence 
came  forward,  confessed  their  sin.  and,  with  tears,  begged  for  for- 
giveness. Conrad  Keck  who  was  one  of  the  young  men,  told 
this  .story  with  great  interest  and  feeling. 

Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  was  a  faithful  and  earnest  workman  in 
the  Lord's  vine3"ard.  He  was  incessantly  engaged  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  ministerial  and  pastoral  duties,  preaching  the 
Word,  administering  the  Holy  Sacraments,  teaching  the  yoimg, 
visiting  the  sick  and  burying  the  dead.  He  was  also  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  general  work  of  the  church,  in  missions,  and 
Christian  education  ;  but  in  the  mid.st  of  his  usefulness,  on  the 
ist  of  September,  1S48,  his  work  on  earth  was  suddenly  ended 
by  death.     He  was  55  years  old,  and  was  yet  in   the  strength  of 


REVS.  MICHAEL  J.    STECK. — MICHAEL  EYSTRR.  34I 

his  mature  manhood.  Like  Moses,  he  was  taken  away  while  his 
"eye  was  undimmed  and  his  strength  undiminished."  His 
death  was  a  great  loss  to  the  church,  was  sorely  lamented  by  his 
people,  as  well  as  by  the  members  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  of 
which  he  was  an  honored  member.  He  was  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  synod,  and  was  its  first  president.  His  last  sermon  was  a 
funeral  sermon,  during  the  delivery  of  which  he  caught  the  con- 
tagion, typhoid  fever,  that  proved  fatal  to  his  life.  His  mortal 
remains  were  laid  in  the  German  cemetery  at  Greensburg,  with 
appropriate  and  impressive  services.  Rev.W.  A.  Passavant,  D.D., 
preached  a  memorial  sermon  in  the  German  church,  on  Acts 
viii,  2  :  "And  devout  men  carried  Stephen  to  his  burial,  and 
made  great  lamentation  over  him." 

On  a  plain  stone  in  the  cemetery  are  these  words  :  ' '  Here 
sleeps  in  Jesus  the  body  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck,  for  19  years 
the  faithful  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  churches  of  Greensburg  and 
vicinity.  He  was  a  good  man,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of 
faith,  and  much  people  was  added  to  the  Lord." 

Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  Eliza- 
beth Cope  in  1818,  with  whom  he  lived  in  blessed  union  till  death 
parted  them.  He  was  the  father  of  11  children,  four  sons  and 
seven  daughters,  only  six  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Rev.  Michael  Eyster  (i 838-1 853),  son  of  Adam  and 
Elizabeth  Eyster,  was  born  on  the  i6th  day  of  May,  1814,  in 
York  county.  Pa.  He  spent  his  youth  on  his  father's  farm,  and 
had  his  early  training  in  the  home  and  the  public  school.  When 
he  was  13  years  old  he  went  to  York  and  became  a  clerk  in  a 
store,  where  he  spent  three  years,  during  which  time  he  became 
intensely  interested  in  the  subject  of  religion,  and  made  up  his 
mind  to  study  for  the  ministry.  He  attended  Marshall  College 
for  several  years ;  but  when  that  institution  was  removed  to 
Mercersburg,  he  entered  Pennsylvania  College  at  Gettysburg. 
After  completing  his  course  in  the  college  he  entered  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1838.  In  Sep- 
tember of  that  year  he  was  licensed  by  the  West  Pennsylvania 
Synod  to  preach  the  gospel.    Soon  after  his  licensure,  he  received 


342  SOUTHKRN   CONFERENCK. 

a  call  from  the  Williamsburg  parish  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pa., 
which  he  served  successfully  for  eight  3'ears. 

On  the  23rd  of  January'' ,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Julia 
E.  Eichleberger  of  York,  with  whom  he  lived  in  happy  union 
till  death  parted  them.  In  1846  he  resigned  the  Williamsburg 
parish  and  accepted  a  call  from  Greencastle,  Pa.  Whilst  earn- 
estly engaged  in  his  pastoral  work  in  this  parish,  his  beloved  wife 
was  taken  away,  and  his  happy  family  relations  were  broken  up. 

In  1 849  he  became  pastor  of  the  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg 
parish,  Westmoreland  county.  Under  his  ministry  Zion's  church, 
Greensburg,  was  greatly  increased  in  numbers  and  strength,  and 
new  churches  were  built  at  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg  ;  a  con- 
gregation was  organized  at  Salem  (Delmont),  and  a  neat  church 
was  built. 

As  a  preacher.  Rev.  Kyster  was  plain  and  practical.  Few 
men  could  speak  so  fluently,  yet  so  intelligentl}'  on  almost  any 
subject  that  might  be  presented.  He  was  as  evangelical  as  he 
was  practical ;  a  man  of  genuine  culture,  and  ripe  scholar- 
ship, and,  though  of  positive  views,  he  was  a  most  amiable  com- 
panion. In  the  spring  of  1S53  his  health  began  to  fail,  and  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Sjnod  in  June,  he  preached  for 
the  last  time  on  these  words  :  "  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me." 
It  is  said,  by  those  who  heard  him,  that  he  spoke  with  peculiar 
pathos  and  power  on  that  occasion.  He  was  confined  to  his 
room  only  a  few  days.  On  the  r  ;th  of  August,  1853,  the 
Lord  called  him  away  from  his  dear  ones  and  his  church  on  earth, 
to  his  loved  onts  and  his  reward  in  heaven.  It  was  a  most  affect- 
ing seene  when,  at  his  request,  his  children  knelt  at  his  bedside, 
he  gave  them  kind  woids  of  counsel  and  comfort,  and  com- 
mended them  to  the  care  of  the  Father  of  the  fatherless.  His 
last  words  were  spoken  to  a  member  of  the  church,  "  I  expect  to 
meet  you  in  heaven."  Thus  he  passed  sweetly  away  in  the  40th 
year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  15th  3'ear  of  his  ministry. 

Rev.  Eyster  is  of  precious  memory  to  man3\  His  mortal 
remains  were  laid,  according  to  his  request,  along  side  of  pastor 
Michael  J.  Steck,  for  whose  memory  he  had  a  most  profound 
respect.     He    left   three    daughters    to   mourn    for  him,  two   of 


REV.    CHAS.    H.    HKRSH. — REV.    I.    O.    P.    BAKER.  343 

whom,  Mrs.  Adam  Turney  and  Mrs.  Amelia  Brown,  are  stiil  liv- 
ing.    The  youngest  has  followed  her  father  to  the  eternal  world. 

Rev.  Chari,es  H.  Hersh  (1853-1859)  was  born  on 
the  17th  day  of  January,  1824,  in  Oxford,  Adams  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  brought  up  and  received  his  early 
training. 

In  1845,  he  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  Pennsyl- 
vania College,  became  a  member  of  the  freshman  class  in  1847, 
and  graduated  in  1851.  He  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
the  same  place  immediatel}^  after  his  graduation,  and  finished  his 
course  in  that  institution,  in  1853.  Having  passed  a  creditable 
examination  before  the  Southern  Conference,  he  was  recom- 
mended for  licensure,  and  on  the  6th  of  October,  1853,  the  pres- 
ident of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  granted  him  ad  interim  license.  A 
call  was  extended  to  him  from  St.  James  and  Salem  parish,  and 
he  was  installed  as  pastor  immediately  after  his  licensure.  He 
served  these  two  congregations  for  about  three  years,  his  ser- 
vices being  quite  acceptable,  and  his  labors  crowned  with  success. 

In  1856,  he  was  called  to  become  pastor  of  the  Lutheran 
congregation  at  Dansville,  New  York,  which  he  served  for  two 
years.  In  1858,  he  resigned  this  church  and  accepted  a  call 
from  a  Lutheran  church  at  Canajoharie,  New  York.  After  a 
year's  service,  he  removed  to  Baltimore  to  become  pastor  of  the 
Second  Lutheran  church  of  that  city,  A  few  months  later  his 
ministry  was  suddenly  ended  by  death.  He  died  on  the  22nd  of 
November,  1859,  in  the  36th  year  of  his  age. 

Rev.  Hersh  was  a  sincere  Christian  ;  he  was  an  earnest 
preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor,  but  was  called  away  at  the  begin- 
ning of  his  ministry.  He  was  married  on  the  23rd  of  June, 
1854,  to  Miss  Mary  McClean  of  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

Rev.  Isaac  O.  P.  Baker  (1855-1862),  son  of  George  and 
Eva  (  Hartman)  Baker,  was  born  on  the  4th  day  of  August, 
1829,  in  Hempfield  township,  Westmoreland  county,  Peunsyl- 
vania.  He  was  consecrated  to  God  in  infancy  by  Holy  baptism 
and  when  he  reached  the  years  of  young  manhood,  he  became  a 


344  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

communicant  member  of  the  church  under  the  ministry  of  Rev. 
Michael  J.  Steck.  When  he  was  17  years  old,  he  attended  the 
Greensburg  Academy  with  the  writer.  They  worked  side 
by  side  and  recited  in  the  same  classes.  Two  years  later  he  at- 
tended the  Muhlenberg  Institute,  which  was  located  in  Greens- 
burg in  1848.  When  this  school  was  discontinued,  in  1850,  he 
went  to  Capital  University,  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  took  both 
the  classical  and  theological  courses.  In  June,  1855,  after  finish- 
ing his  course  of  study,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Mt.  Pleasant 
parish,  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling. 
He  served  this  parish  for  several  months  as  a  supply.  On  the 
15th  of  September,  1855,  after  ha\ing  been  ordained  by  the  East- 
ern District  Synod  of  Ohio,  he  accepted  the  call  and  was  installed 
pastor.  He  was  very  dilligent  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  duties  and 
did  all  his  work  with  conscientious  exactness.  He  was  always 
the  same  sedate,  earnest  Christian  young  man.  He  served  the 
Mt.  Pleasant  parish  for  seven  years  and  did  a  good  work  in 
building  up  the  several  congregations  in  numbers  and  financial 
strength.  His  services  were  quite  acceptable,  and  his  labors  were 
successful.  He  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  people  in  a 
high  degree,  and  his  death  was  a  severe  shock  to  the  people  of 
his  parish,  and  an  irreparable  loss  to  his  family.  Exposure  to  a 
malignant  disease,  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  was  the  imme- 
diate cause  of  his  death.  He  died  on  the  loth  of  December,  1862, 
at  his  home  in  Pleasant  Unity.  He  was  33  years  old  and  had  been 
only  seven  j^ears  in  the  ministry.  Appropriate  funeral  services 
were  held  by  Rev.  Daniel  Worley,  then  of  Greensburg,  and  his 
body  was  laid  away  in  the  German  cemetery,  at  Greensburg,  with 
the  solemn  rites  of  Christian  burial. 

Rev.  Baker  possessed  more  than  average  talents.  He 
was  actuated  by  high  moral  principles,  had  a  spotless  character 
and  lived  a  consistent  Christian  life.  He  belonged  to  a  family 
of  twelve,  six  brothers  and  six  sisters,  of  whom  only  two  broth- 
ers are  now  living. 

He  was  married  in  June,  1855,  to  Miss  A.  Olivia  Crane  of 
Lancaster,  Ohio.  He  was  the  father  of  four  children,  three 
daughters  and  one  son.     The  daughters  all  died  young,  but  the 


J.  C.  KUNZMANN 


R.  G.  KOSEXI-.AUM 


PROF.  W.  M.  ZUBER 


GEO.  \V.  MECHLIN'G 


REV.    CHRISTIAN   D.    ULERY.  345 

son,   Edward  L- ,  became  a  minister  and  is  now  a  professor  in 
Tliiel  Colleo^e.     The  mother  died  in  October,  1879. 

Rev.  Christian  D.  Ulery  (1859-1862).  Christian  Diet- 
rich, son'  of  Frederick  William  and  Maria  W.  (Kohlmeir)  Ul- 
rich,  was  born  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1832,  in  Westphalia, 
Germany,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1833  ^^^  parents  brought  him  to 
America  and  settled  in  Donegal  township,  Westmoreland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  brought  up.  He  received  his  early 
training  in  the  home  and  the  public  school.  Later,  he  attended 
schools  of  a  higher  grade,  and  also  taught  several  terms  in  the 
public  schools.  In  the  autumn  of  1852  he  entered  the  prepara- 
tory'' department  of  Pennsylvania  College,  became  a  freshman  in 
1853,  and  graduated  in  1857.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year 
he  began  his  theological  course  at  Gettysburg,  and  finished  in 
the  spring  of  1859. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  in  Kittanning,  Pa,, 
in  June,  1859,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  Soon  after 
his  licensure  he  accepted  a  call  from  Grace  Church,  Birmingham, 
(now  S.  S.  Pittsburg)  of  which  he  was  pastor  over  two  years. 
In  1 861  he  was  regularly  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  church.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year  he  ac- 
cepted an  urgent  call  from  a  parish  in  Chester  county.  His 
earnest  and  faithful  efforts  in  this  new  field  were  crowned  with 
success,  and  won  him  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  ; 
but  in  September,  1862,  when  General  Lee  and  his  army  invaded 
Mar^dand,  and  threatened  Pennsylvania,  his  patriotism  was 
kindled,  and  he  appealed  to  the  young  men  of  his  congregation 
to  join  him  in  the  defence  of  the  State  and  the  Union,  and  they 
nobly  responded.  In  a  few  days  a  company  was  raised,  of  which 
he  was  made  captain.  They  offered  their  services  and  were  ac- 
cepted ;  but  when  they  reached  the  front  the  battle  was  over,  and 
the  enemy  had  been  driven  back.  Though  not  needed  to  defend 
the  State,  yet  there  was  work  to  do  in  the  hospital  and  on  the 
field,  and  he  entered  heartily  into  it.  This  exposure  was  too 
great  a  strain  on  his  physical  strength.  He  contracted  a  severe 
cold,  which    settled   on   his    lungs,    causing  hemorrhage,   and, 


346  SOUTHERN    CONFERKNCE. 

finall}^  ended  in  pneumonia,  which  proved  fatal.  H,  A-^as  sick 
only  a  few  days.  He  died  on  the  8th  of  November,  1862  ;  was 
just  30  years  old,  and  had  been  only  three  years  in  the  ministry. 
He  was  aj^oung  man  of  education  and  culture,  of  noble  Christian 
character,  and  of  high  ambition  for  usefulness.  He  wanted  to 
live,  for  he  was  just  on  the  threshold  of  his  ministerial  life.  He 
made  a  heroic  struggle  for  life  ;  but  when  he  saw  that  God  had 
willed  it  otherwise,  he  bravely  surrendered  to  the  Divine  will, 
and  died  a  most  triumphant  death.  We  have  never  witnessed 
another  such  deathbed  scene.  He  was  calm  and  serene,  and 
spoke  of  his  death  as  one  would  speak  of  a  homeward  journey. 
He  had  a  word  of  admonition  or  of  comfort  for  every  one  in  his 
presence,  and  sent  messages  to  absent  ones.  In  a  touching  man- 
ner he  said  to  a  young  woman  :  ' '  Give  your  heart  to  Christ. ' ' 
To  Elder  Kenny:  "Be  faithful  till  death,  and  you  shall  receive 
the  crown  of  life. ' '  He  requested  the  writer  to  ' '  tell  Fred  and 
Ferdinand  to  live  in  peace,  and  to  bring  up  their  children  for 
God."  "Tell  mother  not  to  grieve  for  me,  but  to  meet  me  in 
heaven."  His  last  words  were  addressed  to  his  brother,  saying, 
in  a  whisper  :  "  William,  I  go  to  the  kingdom  of  glory  ;  I  want 
}'ou  to  meet  me  there."  Thus  he  passed  sweetly  and  calmly 
away.  What  was  mortal  of  him  was,  with  most  impressive  ser- 
vices, laid  in  the  Lutheran  cemeterv  at  lyionville,  Pa, ,  where  an 
appropriate  monument  has  been  erected  by  the  members  of  his 
churches,  to  his  memory. 

Rev.  Samuel  B.  Lawson  (1744-1865)  was  born  on 
the  27th  day  of  August,  1808,  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania. 
He  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  his  community 
and  his  young  manhood  was  devoted  to  secular  employments. 
By  and  by  when  he  was  awakened  to  a  proper  sense  of  his  re- 
ligious duties,  he  not  only  desired  to  serve  Christ,  but  felt  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  preach  Christ  to  others.  Influenced  by  this 
conviction,  he  made  arrangements  to  devote  himself  to  study  in 
preparation  for  the  ministry. 

In  1849,  he  entered  Pennsylvania  College,  where  he  spent 
three  years  in  preparatory  study,  and  two  years  at  the  Theo- 


R3VS.    SAMUEL    B.    LAWSON,    DANIEL   GARVER.  347 

logical  Sen;inary.  In  1844,  he  was  licensed  by  the  Allegheny 
Synod,  and  in  1846  he  was  regularly  ordained  by  the  same 
body.  Immediately  after  his  licensure,  he  became  pastor  of 
Friedens  parish  in  Somerset  county,  which  he  served  about  nine 
years.  For  three  years  he  was  pastor  of  the  Salisburj^  parish, 
also  in  Somerset  county.  In  1853,  he  accepted  an  urgent  call 
from  Freyburg,  Clarion  county,  Pa.  He  now  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  ministered  to  the  people  of  this 
parish  for  six  years  and  his  labors  were  crowned  with  success. 

In  1859,  he  received  a  call  from  the  West  Newton  parish, 
and  served  it  faithfully  till  February,  7th  1865,  when  his  min- 
istry on  earth  was  closed  by  death.  He  died  in  the  57th  year  of 
his  age  and  in  the  21st  year  of  his  ministry. 

Rev.  Father  Lawson  was  an  earnest  and  faithful  workman 
in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and  his  labors  were  richly  blessed.  We 
can  pronounce  no  higher  encomium  on  his  life  and  his  work  than 
that  he  made  many  friends  in  the  course  of  his  ministry,  and 
many  call  him  blessed. 

He  was  married,  in  1829,  to  Miss  Catharine  Smich  with 
whom  he  lived  in  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  for  thirty-six  years. 
They  had  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom 
are  living  except  one.  One  son,  Rev.  J.  S.  Lawson  of  Pittsburg, 
is  in  the  ministry. 

Rev.  Daniel  Garver  (i 852-1 865),  son  of  Samuel  and 
Margaret  Garver,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland, 
on  the  9th  day  of  January,  1830.  When  he  was  two  years  old, 
the  family  removed  to  Franklin  county.  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the 
years  of  his  childhood  and  youth,  and  received  his  elementary  edu- 
cation. He  manifested  a  strong  desire  for  mental  improvement, 
and  in  him  was  illustrated  the  proverb,  "the  child  is  father  of 
the  man." 

In  1845,  when  in  his  fifteenth  year,  he  entered  the  prepara- 
tory department  of  Pennsylvania  college.  He  graduated  with 
honor  in  1850,  and  the  same  year  began  his  studies  at  the  sem- 
inary. Two  years  later  he  finished  the  course,  and  in  June, 
1852,  he  was  licensed  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.     In 


348  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  after  several  months  spent  in  travel, 
he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  a  professorship  at  Illinois  Univer- 
sit)^  For  three  years  he  filled  this  position  with  credit.  In 
1855,  he  became  missionary  pastor  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  where 
he  did  effective  work  in  laying  the  foundation  for  a  future  con- 
gregation. 

In  May,  1857,  he  sailed  for  Europe  and  the  Orient  w'here  he 
spent  a  year  in  foreign  travel.  After  he  returned,  he  delivered 
a  course  of  lectures  on  Egj^pt  and  the  Holy  lyand,  which  gave 
evidence  that  he  had  gained  valuable  information  regarding  the 
countries  which  he  had  visited. 

On  June  3rd,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Emma  Virginia  Miller 
of  Bedford,  Pa.,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  at  Canton, 
Ohio,  where  he  labored  with  diligence  and  success  for  four  years. 
In  August,  1863,  he  received  a  unanimous  call  from  the  Greens- 
burg  and  Adamsburg  parish.  He  entered  upon  his  w^ork  in  this 
field  in  October,  and  continued  to  labor  in  his  Master's  vineyard 
with  persevering  energy  and  success,  until  his  work  was  ended 
by  death.  He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  September  30th,  1865,  in  the 
35th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fourteenth  year  of  his  ministry. 

Rev.  Garver  was  a  scholar  and  a  Christian.  He  was  a  bold 
defender  of  the  right,  a  man  of  positive  virtues  and  noble  and 
independent  spirit.  He  loved  the  truth.  He  loved  his  country, 
his  church,  and  his  God.  The  late  Dr.  C.  P.  Krauth  said  of 
him  :  "In  the  genial  unbending  of  Bros.  Garver's  life,  in  the 
rich  outflowings  of  the  treasures  of  his  thoughtful  study,  and 
ripened  by  observant  travel,  in  the  unction  of  fervent  piety,  in 
the  unpretending  goodness  of  his  heart  and  amiable  grace  of  his 
manners, — there  was  a  charm  not  to  be  resisted." 

We  cannot  fail  to  cherish  a  high  appreciation  ot  his  mem- 
ory, for  the  true  index  of  a  man's  character  is  his  life.  He  left 
to  the  church  the  rich  legacy  of  a  good  example,  in  the  purity  of 
his  life,  and  in  the  earnest  devotion  to  his  chosen  calling. 

Rev.  Jonas  Mechling  (18 20-1 868),  son  of  Philip  J. 
and  Katharine   (Coder)   Mechling,    was  born    on   the   14th    of 


REV.    JONAS   MECHUNG.  349 

August,  1798,  in  Hempfield  township,  Westmoreland  county, 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  baptized  in  infancy  by  Rev.  Wm.  Weber, 
and  received  his  earl}'  education  in  the  schools  maintained  by  the 
churches  in  Westmoreland  county.  He  was  confirmed  by  Rev. 
John  M.  Steck.  He  says  in  his  diary:  "This  important  period 
in  my  life  I  shall  ever  remember  with  gratitude  to  God,  through 
whose  goodness  it  was  a  season  of  unspeakable  refreshing  and 
pleasure  to  me." 

At  an  early  age  he  devoted  his  time  to  preparing  himself  for 
the  holy  office  of  the  ministry.  He  began  his  theological  studies 
under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  J.  Schnee  of  Pittsburg,  and  com- 
pleted them  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  John  M.  Steck.  Of  his 
earliest  work  in  the  ministry,  he  made  the  following  entry  in  his 
diary  : 

"I  preached  my  first  sermon  on  the  14th  of  March,  1819.  I 
also  preached  occasionally  during  that  year  in  several  small  con- 
gregations, and  sometimes  gave  catechetical  lectures  in  Rev. 
Steck's  place,  besides  prosecuting  my  studies  under  his  care." 

On  the  19th  of  September,  1820,  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
the  gospel  by  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  Ohio.  Re- 
turning from  synod,  he  took  charge  of  a  number  of  the  distant 
congregations  of  Father  Steck's  parish.  St.  James  and  Han- 
key's,  in  the  north  of  the  county  ;  Hope  church,  Zion's  and  St. 
John's,  south  of  Greensburg  ;  and  the  churche  sof  the  Ligonier 
Valley,  formed  the  extended  field  where  he  began  his  work. 

A  few  3''ears  later,  he  resigned  the  churches  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county,  but  added  St.  Paul's,  Ridge;  St.  James, 
Youngstown,  and  Christ  church,  West  Newton,  to  his  parish. 
These  congregations  he  served  for  many  years,  resigning  West 
Newton  in  1847,  and  the  congregations  in  the  Ligonier  Valley  in 
1848,  but  still  exercising  a  pastoral  care  over  the  churches  on 
this  side  of  the  Ridge  until  1855.  After  this  year,  he  devoted 
all  of  his  time  to  the  Greensburg  parish.  The  parish  then  .con- 
sisted of  the  First  church,  Greensburg;  Harrold's,  Brush  Creek, 
Manor,  Hill's  and  several  minor  preaching  stations.  With  un- 
tiring fidelity  and  earnestness,  he  continued  to  serve  these  con- 
gregations until  he  was  summoned  to  his  reward,     He  died  on 


350  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

the  2nd  day  of   April,  1868,  after  a   short    ilhiess,  in   the  70th 
year  of  his  age  and  in  the  48th  year  of  his  ministry. 

It  seemed  a  fitting  conclusion  to  his  life  that  his  fnneral  ser- 
vices should  be  conducted  in  the  church  with  which  his  life 
history  had  been  so  closely  identified.  Here  in  infancy  he  had 
been  brought  for  baptism  ;  here  in  youth  he  had  renewed  his 
vows  in  confirmation,  and  here  for  years,  as  a  pastor,  he  had 
blessed  those  who  came  under  his  influence.  It  was  on  Palm 
Sunday,  April  5th,  that  the  last  tribute  was  paid  to  this  pious 
man,  in  the  presence  ot  a  large  assembly  of  those  whom  he  had 
served.  Rev.  Dr.  Hacke,  for  many  years  his  associate  in  the 
work,  delivered  a  discourse  in  the  German  language.  He  was 
followed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant,  who  preached  an  English  ser- 
mon, and  then  the  mortal  remains  of  the  beloved  pastor  were 
laid  to  rest  in  the  German  cemetery  with  the  benediction  of  a 
Christian  burial. 

Rev.  Mechling  was  a  man  of  persevering  energy  and  re- 
markable endurance.  He  was  a  very  busy  man,  and  rode  many 
hundreds  of  miles  every  year  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  As 
a  testimony  to  his  earnestness  and  fidelity  as  a  minister  of  Christ, 
we  need  only  to  give  a  few  items  of  the  record  of  his  ministerial 
acts.  During  a  ministry  of  48  years,  he  preached  6,  ^27  sermons, 
baptized  6,286  children,  confirmed  2,039  adults,  married  890 
couples,  and  performed  the  rites  of  Christian  burial  for  thou- 
sands. 

Rev.  Mechling  was  married  on  the  22nd  of  October,  1822, 
to  Miss  Florinda  Gressinger.  This  union  was  blessed  with 
eleven  children,  six  sons  and  five  daughters  ;  only  four  of  whom, 
three  sons  and  one  daughter,  are  now  living.  One  son,  George 
W. ,  has  been  in  the  active  ministry  for  48  years. 

Rev,  John  Rugan  (i 845-1870),  son  of  George  and  Susan 
Rugan,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1807.  Here  h.2 
spent  his  childhood  and  received  his  early  education.  He  had 
his  preparatory  training  for  college  at  Plainfield,  Connecticut, 
entered  the  Freshman  class  of  Pennsylvania  College  in  1839,  and 
graduated  in  1843.     He  took  a  theological  course  at  Hartwick 


REV.    JOHN    RUGAN.  35 1 

Seminary,  New  York,  and  in  1845,  lie  was  licensed  by  the  Hart- 
wick  Synod,  New  York,  and  served  for  some  time  within  the 
bounds  of  that  synod. 

In  the  autumn  of  1847,  he  became  assistant  to  Rev.  Michael 
J.  Steck  in  his  large  parish.  Soon  after  Rev.  Rugan  located  in 
Oreensburg,  he  began  to  hold  English  services  in  the  German 
church,  and  slso  assisted  Pastor  Steck  in  other  parts  of  his  large 
and  extensive  field. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1848,  he  organized  Zion's  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  church  at  Greensburg,  with  40  members,  and 
continued  to  be  its  pastor  until  the  autumn  of  1849.  He  also 
organized  Holy  Trinity  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  at  Adams- 
burg,  with  about  100  members,  and  was  its  temporary  pastor  till 
October,  1849,  when  he  resigned  both  of  these  places  to  take 
charge  of  St.  James,  Bell  township,  Saltsburg  and  other  points. 
He  served  this  new  field  only  one  year  when  he  was  called  to 
Ghent,  New  York,  where  he  labored  successfully  for  three  years. 
In  1853,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Wooster,  Ohio,  where  he  spent  one 
year,  going  from  that  place  to  Somerset,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
pastor  for  two  years.  In  1856  he  accepted  an  urgent  call  from 
Fultonham,  Ohio,  where  he  did  successful  work  for  13  years. 
In  1869,  he  was  called  to  Nokomis,  Illinois,  where  he  did  mis- 
sionary work  for  one  year.  His  last  charge  was  at  Vaudalia, 
Illinois,  whither  he  went  in  1870.  He  had  been  here  only  a 
few  months  when  the  Master  called  him  from  his  work  on  earth 
to  his  reward  in  heaven.  After  a  short  illness,  on  the  20th  of 
August,  1870,  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ,  in  the  63rd  year  of  his 
age,  and  in  the  25th  year  of  his  ministry. 

Rev.  Rugan  was  a  conscientious  and  godly  man;  an  earnest 
and  incisive  preacher,  and  a  diligent  and  faithful  pastor.  He 
was  a  pioneer  in  our  church,  did  good  service  for  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  while  he  remained  in  Westmoreland  county,  and  has  left 
his  impress  whever  he  has  been. 

He  was  married  on  the  20th  day  of  March,  1850,  to  Miss 
Hettie  J.  Steck,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  of 
Greensburg,  Pa. 


352  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE- 

Rev.  Jacob  Singer  (1S58-T876),  was  born  in  C813,  in 
Butler  county,  Penna.,  and  was  brought  up  in  the  Lutheran 
faith.  Later,  he  transferred  his  membership  to  the  ^L  K. 
church  because  he  could  not  enjoy  the  privileges  of  his  own 
church.  As  soon,  however,  as  he  had  the  opportunity,  he  re- 
turned to  the  fellowship  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  soon  after- 
wards he  made  up  his  mind  to  study  for  the  rainistr3^ 

He  pursued  his  studies  privately  for  some  time,  under  the 
directions  of  the  president  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  In  1858, 
after  having  passed  a  satisfactory  examination,  he  was  licensed 
b}^  the  synod  to  preach  the  gospel  and  administer  the  Holy  Sacra- 
ments for  one  year,  and  in  i860,  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.  Immediately  after  his 
licensure  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lutheran  church  at  Brook- 
ville,  Pa.,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for  one  year. 

In  October,  1859,  he  became  pastor  of  the  North  Washing- 
ton parish,  which  he  served  faithfully  till  1864  when  he  accepted 
a  call  from  a  church  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio.  He  now  became 
a  member  of  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  and  continued  to  labor 
in  that  synod  till  the  spring  of  1873,  when  he  became  the  pastor 
of  the  Seanor  and  Hoffman  parish.  At  this  time  he  again  united 
with  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  continued  his  work  in  this  parish 
with  success  till  August,  1876,  when  his  ministry  on  earth  was 
ended.  He  died  on  the  8th  of  the  month,  in  the  63rd  year  of  his 
age,  and  after  he  had  spent  18  years  in  the  active  ministry. 

Rev.  Singer  was  a  devout  Christian  and  an  earnest  worker 
in  the  church  ;  was  a  most  conscientious  man,  and  faithful  min- 
ister ;  a  kind  and  loving  pastor,  who  endeared  himself  to  the 
people  whom  he  served. 

Rev.  Jacob  Neff  Burket  (1846-1883),  son  of  Peter 
Burket,  of  Sinking  Valley,  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  was  born  on 
the  19th  October,  1828,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  received 
his  early  training  in  a  Christian  home,  and  in  the  schools  of  his 
neighborhood.  When  yet  quite  young  he  decided  to  devote 
himself  to  the  office  of  the  ministry.  In  1840,  when  he  was 
only  17  years  old,  he  entered  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg, 


REV.    J,    NEFF   BURKET.  353 

and  spent  four  years  in  that  institution  with  a  fair  measure  of 
success. 

In  1844,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  where  he  spent  two  years.  After  he  had  finished 
the  regular  course  of  study  in  that  institution  he  returned  home, 
passed  a  creditable  examination  before  the  Allegheny  Synod  in 
the  fall  of  1846  and  was  licensed  by  that  body  to  preach  the 
gof.pel.  Early  in  1847,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Huntingdon 
parish,  Huntingdon  county,  which  he  accepted,  and  was  pastor 
for  one  year,  when  he  was  called  to  Dixon,  Illinois,  where  he 
labored  successfully  for  two  years. 

In  1850,  he  received  a  call  from  several  congregations  in 
Western  Pennsylvania.  He  removed  to  Saltsburg,  and  whilst 
he  resided  there  he  assisted  Rev.  M.  Eyster  in  supplying  Salem 
church,  also  preached  at  St.  James.  Bell  township,  and  at 
Boiling  Springs,  Armstrong  county.  He  continued  to  labor 
in  this  field  till  1853,  when  his  health  failed.  He  retired 
temporarily  from  the  active  ministry  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  in  the  hope  of  regaining  his  health  in  a  short  time. 

After  spending  two  years  in  this  business  he  removed  to 
Gettysburg  and  worked  on  a  farm  for  two  years,  which  greatly 
benefitted  his  health.  This  encouraged  him  to  take  up  the  work 
of  the  ministry  again.  In  1857,  he  received  a  call  from  a  parish 
in  Kishacoquillas  Valley,  Mifflin  county,  where  he  labored  for 
four  years  with  good  success.  Rev.  Burket  was  an  earnest 
preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor,  but  his  bodily  infirmities  greatly 
hindred  him  in  his  pastoral  work. 

In  1 86 1,  he  retired  from  the  ministry  and  engaged  in  secu- 
lar employment  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  spent  two  years  at  Har- 
risburg  as  assistant  Postmaster  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 
In  1863,  he  received  an  appointment  in  the  Commissary  Depart- 
ment at  Washington,  D.  C,  which  he  held  for  two  years,  and 
in  1865,  in  the  Treasury  Department,  which  he  held  as  long  as 
he  was  physically  able  to  do  the  work  required,  when  he  retired 
to  private  life. 

He  was  married  on  the  27th  of  May,  1845,  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Chritzman  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.     They  were  blessed  with  ten  chil- 


354  SOUTHERN    CONFERKNCE. 

dren,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  nine  of  whom  are  still  living. 
Rev.  Burket  died  on  the  28th  day  of  February,  1883,  aged 
about    60   years. 

Rev.  John  Y.  Marks  (1876-1884),  spent  his  early  hfe  in 
secular  business  though  he  had  for  years  a  desire  to  devote  his 
life  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Finallj'  the  way  opened, 
through  the  kind  assistance  of  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant,  and  he  felt 
that  he  could  fulfil  the  desire  of  his  life. 

He  settled  up  his  business  and  made  preparation  to  enter 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  studied  privately  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Dr.  Passavant  and  others  for  some  time.  At  the  meeting 
of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  which  convened  at  Altoona  in  1876,  he 
made  application  to  be  examined  with  a  view  to  ordination. 
His  case  was  considered  favorably  by  the  examining  committee 
and  he  was  admitted  to  examination,  which  was  creditably  sus- 
tained. He  was  recommended  for  ordination  and  was  solemnly 
ordained  b)^  the  officers  of  the  sj-nod  to  the  holy  ministry  in  the 
Lutheran  church. 

Immediately  after  the  meeting  of  the  synod  he  ac-cepted  a 
call  from  the  St.  James  and  Saltsburg  parish,  which  he  served 
for  about  three  years.  In  1879  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  c^ll 
from  the  Stone  Creek  parish,  Ohio.  He  ministered  to  the  sev- 
eral congregations  of  this  large  field  in  a  faithful  manner  and  his 
services  were  appreciated.  The  results  of  his  ministry  were 
beginning  to  show  in  the  growth  and  increasing  strength  of  the 
parish.  But  when  he  had  been  less  than  five  years  in  the  field, 
his  work  was  suddenly  ended  by  the  messenger  of  death,  on  the 
6th  of  November,  1884,  after  a  successful  ministry  of  eight 
years,  leaving  a  wife,  children,  and  a  large  parish  to  mourn  his 
early  death.  He  died  in  the  very  midst  of  his  manhood, 
when  to  the  human  eye  there  ought  yet  to  have  been  man}'- 
years  before  him.     "His  sun  went  down  while  it  was  yet  day." 


Rev.  John  J,  Sutter  ( 1849-1884),  was  born  on  the  6th  of 
May,   1826,  in  the  canton  of  Basel,  Switzerland.     In  1839,  his 


REVS.    JOHN  J.    SUTTER. — DANIEI.   WORLEY.  355 

parents  brought  him  with  them  to  America.  They  remained  for 
four  years  in  New  York  where  John  attended  school  and  became 
a  communicant  member  of  St.  Mathew's  church,  then  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  Rev.  F.  Stohlman,  D.  D. 

In  1843  he  went  to  Columbui,  Ohio,  to  pursue  his  studies 
for  the  ministry.  In  1846,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary 
and  completed  his  course  in  1849,  when  he  was  licensed  by  the 
Enstern  District  Synod  of  Ohio  to  preach  the  gospel.  In  the 
autumn  of  that  year,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Donegal  parish, 
which  he  served  very  faithfully  and  acceptably  as  far  as  pertained 
to  German  service.  But  he  came  to  Donegal  at  a  time  when  the 
congregations  wanted  more  English  services.  As  he  was  not 
able  to  preach  in  the  English  language  with  comfort  to  himself 
or  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  English  speaking  people,  he  resigned 
at  the  end  of  the  first  year  and  accepted  an  appointment  as  gen- 
eral missionary  in  Fail  field  and  Hocking  counties,  Ohio,  where 
he  did  effective  work  for  six  years. 

In  1856  he  settled  at  Sugar  Grove,  Fairfield  county,  and 
had  a  parish  of  four  congregations,  which  he  served  successfully 
till  1874,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in  Seneca  county, 
Ohio,  which  he  served  for  three  years.  In  1867,  he  became  pas- 
tor of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Marion,  which  he  served  faithfully 
till  1883,  when  he  was  called  to  a  church  near  Bellevue,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  permitted  to  labor  only  for  a  short  time  till  tlie 
Master  called  him  from  his  work  on  earth  to  his  reward  in 
heaven.  He  died  on  the  4th  of  January,  1884,  in  the  58th  year 
of  his  age. 

Rev.  Sutter  was  an  earnest  and  faithful  pastor,  who  won 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered,  a 
true  disciple  of  Christ,  whose  great  aim  was  to  do  good  and 
glorify  God.  He  was  married  some  time  after  he  entered  the 
ministry,  and  was  the  father  of  four  children,  three  daughters  and 
one  son.  The  son,  H.  G.  Sutter,  studied  for  the  ministry  and  is 
now  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Galion,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Daniel  Worley  (i 852-1 888)  was  born  in  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  on   the   28th    February,    1829.     He   was  the  son   of 


356  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCR. 

Thomas  and  Mary  Worley,  and  was  brought  up  and  received  his 
early  education  in  his  nati\e  town.  He  prepared  for  college  in 
the  academy  at  Harrisburg,  and  in  1847  he  entered  the  Sopho- 
more class  in  Pennsylvania  College  and  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  1850.  The  same  year  he  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Columbus,  O.,  finished  his  course  in  1853,  and  was 
licensed  by  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio  to  preach  the  gospel  and 
administer  the  sacraments. 

In  1 85 1  he  was  elected  a  professor  in  Capital  University, 
Columbus,  O.,  and  filled  the  chair  of  mathematics  and  physics 
for  12  years.  In  1863  he  settled  in  Greensburg,  Pa.,  and  for 
two  years  was  engaged  in  teaching  and  preaching  to  several 
country  congregations.  In  1865  he  removed  to  Canton,  O.,  to 
accept  the  superintendency  of  the  public  schools  of  that  city, 
which  position  he  filled,  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction 
to  the  people,  for  11  years.  In  1876  he  resigned  the  superin- 
tendency and  organized  a  select  school  which  he  conducted  for 
about  five  years.  In  1881  he  retired  from  the  work  of  teaching 
on  account  of  failing  health.  During  the  years  he  was  engaged 
in  teaching  he  also  ministered  to  several  congregations.  He  was 
pastor  of  the  Worsler  church  till  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on 
account  of  physical   infirmity. 

He  filled  important  offices  of  state,  as  well  as  in  the  church. 
He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  to  various 
offices  in  the  city.  For  nine  years  he  was  editor  of  the  Lutheran 
Standard,  and  filled  responsible,  positions  in  his  synod  and  in  the 
General  Council.  He  has  written  valuable  and  instructive 
articles  on  important  subjects.  One  on  "The  Ministry,"  attracted 
much  attention;  one  on  "Baptismal  Regeneration,"  is  very 
thorough,  and  another  on  '  'The  Church,  as  the  True  Institution  of 
Reform,"  touches  the  vital  points  of  true  moral  reform. 

Rev.  Worley  possessed  more  than  ordinary  natural  abil- 
ties.  He  was  a  diligent  student,  an  apt  learner,  and  a  ripe 
scholar.  He  was  a  master  in  mathematics  and  physics,  a 
profound  theologian,  and  a  man  of  fine  executive  ability. 
Socially  he  was  a  most  genial,  and  agreeable  companion  and  a 
trustworthy  and    reliable  friend ;  but  he  was  a  man  of  delicate 


REV.    CHARLES   S.    SEAMAN.  357 

constitution,  and  suffered  for  years  from  the  affliction  which 
finally  ended  his  life.  He  died  m  1888,  in  the  59th  year  of  his 
age.  and  was  buried,  in  the  presence  of  many  friends,  in  the 
cemeter}'  at  Canton,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Worley  was  married  November  2nd,  1862,  to  Henri- 
etta, daughter  of  Rev.  Prof.  Wilhelm  Schmidt  of  Columbus,  O. 
Two  sons  were  born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  living.  His  widow 
still  resides  in  Canton. 

Rev.  Charles  S.  Seaman  (1882-1889),  the  son,  of 
Solomon  and  Elizabeth  ( Shock )  Seaman,  was  born  on  the 
24th  of  July,  1854,  in  Upper  Bern  township,  Berks  county,  Pa.  He 
received  his  early  training  in  the  Christian  home  and  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  township.  He  prepared  for  college  at 
the  Hamburg  High  School  and  by  private  instruction.  He 
entered  Muhlenberg  College  in  the  fall  of  1875.  and  graduated 
in  1879  with  the  first  honor  and  valedictory. 

He  entered  the  Seminary  at  Philadelphia  in  the  autumn  of 
1879,  and  finished  his  theological  course  in  1882.  He  was  or- 
dained soon  afterward  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church. 
He  accepted  a  call  from  the  English  Lutheran  church  at  Renova, 
Pa.,  immediately  after  his  ordination,  and  was  pastor  of  this  con- 
gregation till  January,  1886,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call 
from  the  Brush  Creek  and  Adamsburg  parish. 

He  served  this  new  parish  faithfully  and  acceptably  and  his 
labors  were  crowned  with  eminent  success,  but  in  the  autumn  of 
1889  it  pleased  the  Master  to  call  him  away  from  his  work  to  his 
reward.  He  died  of  typhoid  fever,  on  the  7th  of  September, 
1889,  in  Adamsburg,  Pa.  Appropriate  and  solemn  services  were 
held  by  the  President  of  Synod,  and  other  brethren,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  large  and  deeply  affected  audience.  His  mortal  re- 
mains were  conveyed  to  Allentown,  Pa.,  where  they  were  in- 
terred in  the  cemetery  with  the  solemn  ceremonies  of  a  Christan 
burial. 

Rev.  Seaman's  death  was  greatly  lamemted  by  his  people, 
and  by  his  brethren  of  the  synod,    who  had  learned  to  know  his 


;;,S^         REVS.    CHAS.    A.    SEAMAN. — WM.    S.    EMERY. 

character  and  worth.  He  was  a  scholar  and  a  Christian.  He 
did  a  good  work  and  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  ]>eople. 
He  was  an  earnest  and  practical  preacher,  a  conscientious 
and  diligent  pastor,  who  never  spared  himself  when  duty 
called,  but  was  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  Christ. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  M.  Weber  of  Allentown, 
who  survives  him. 

Rev.  William  S.  Emery  (i 844-1890),  was  born  on  the  9th 
of  March,  18 18,  in  German  township,  Fayette  county,  Pa.  He 
was  baptized  and  confirmed  in  Jacob's  church  and  received  his 
elementary  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  township. 
When  he  was  about  20  years  old,  after  having  made  up  his  mind 
to  devote  himself  to  the  ministrj-,  he  entered  Madison  College, 
then  located  at  Uniontown,  where  he  pursued  his  classical  studies 
for  several  years.  He  took  his  theological  course  partly  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  and  partly  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  spending  one 
term  in  each  place. 

In  1844,  after  having  passed  a  creditable  examination,  he 
was  licensed  by  the  Allegheny  Synod  to  preach  the  gospel  for 
one  year,  and  in  1846,  he  was  ordained  by  the  same  body  co  the 
ministry.  Soon  after  his  licensure,  he  received  a  call  from  a 
parish  in  the  Allegheny  Synod,  of  which  he  was  pastor  for 
three  years. 

In  October,  1847,  he  became  pastor  of  the  West  Newton 
parish,  then  composed  of  Christ  church.  West  Newton,  St. 
Paul's,  Seanor's  and  Hope  church,  Hoffman's.  He  served  these 
churches  faithfully  for  11  years.  In  1858,  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  Lutheran  church  at  Indiana,  Pa.,  where  he  remained 
for  a  number  of  years,  serving  the  congregation  with  acceptance 
and  success. 

Later,  he  became  pastor  of  a  parish  in  Bucks  county,  which 
he  served  for  a  number  of  years.  Near  the  close  of  his  ministry 
he  received  a  call  from  Frenchtown,  New  Jersey,  where  he  spent 
only  a  few  months.  On  the  4th  of  May,  1890,  he  died  suddenly 
of  paralysis.  His  body  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Lutheran  ceme- 
tery near  Frenchtown,   New  Jersey,   with  the  solemn  rites  of 


SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE.  359 

Christian  burial.  He  was  72  years  old,  and  had  been  46  years 
in  the  ministry.  Rev.  Emery  was  a  member  of  our  synod  and 
conference  for  11  years,  and  was  highly  esteemed  among  us. 
He  was  secretary  and  president,  both  of  the  synod  and  confer- 
ence and  filled  many  other  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was 
a  genial  and  pleasant  companion  and  a  trust  worthyfriend.  He 
was  a  plain,  but  earnest  preacher,  and  a  faithful  pastor.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Row,  the  daughter  of  Major  J.  Row  of  Indiana, 
Pa.,  who  survives  him. 

Rev.  George  Edward  Titzel  (1883- 1892),  son  of  Rev.  Prof. 
JosiahR.  and  Elizabeth  (Randolph)  Titzel,  was  born  on  the  15th 
of  April,  1 861,  at  Zelienople,  Pa.,  and  in  due  time  was  conse- 
crated to  God  in  holy  baptism  by  Rev.  Gottlieb  Bassler.  He 
received  his  early  education  in  the  home  and  in  the  public  school 
When  his  father  accepted  a  professorship  in  Thiel  college  in 
1874,  George  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  that  institu- 
tion and  in  1876,  he  entered  the  Freshman  class  and  graduated 
in  1880. 

In  the  autumn  of  1880,  he  went  to  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  Phil- 
adelphia, where  he  diligently  pursued  his  studies  for  three  years 
and  graduated  in  June,  1883.  Having  passed  a  creditable  ex- 
amination, he  was  ordained  in  Trinity  church,  Greenville,  Pa., 
to  the  ministry  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  by  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  On  July,  ist,  following  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  Parker  and  St.  Petersburg  parish,  where  he 
he  labored  successfully  for  six  years. 

In  1889,  he  resigned  this  parish  and  accepted  a  call  from  the 
First  English  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  at  Butler,  Pa.  He 
made  a  fair  beginning  here,  but  after  ministering  to  this 
church  for  two  years,  in  August,  1891,  he  received  a  call  from 
Zion's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Greensburg,  Pa.  After 
mature  and  prayerful  consideration,  he  accepted  this  call  and 
became  pastor  of  Zion's  church  on  the  ist  of  November,  1891. 

He  began  his  work  at  this  place  under  very  fair  auspices 
and  with  a  bright  prospect  of  usefulness,  but  on  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1892,  his  ministry  was  ended.     He  died  of  Typhoid  fever 


360  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

in  the  home  of  his  brother-in-law  at  New  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  a  guest  for  a  few  weeks.  His  interment  took  place  on  the 
1 6th  of  September,  at  Kittanning,  Pa.  The  fnneral  services 
were  largely  attended  by  ministers  and  laymen  and  were  solemn 
and  impressive.  These  services  were  conducted  by  the  officers 
of  the  synod  and  conference  to  which  he  belonged. 

Rev.  Titzel  was  only  30  j^ears  old  and  had  been  nine  years 
in  the  ministry.  His  removal  on  the  very  threshold  of  a  life  of 
usefulness  is  a  great  mystery  to  us.  He  had  made  special  pre- 
paration and  had  peculiar  fitness  for  his  work.  He  was  not  only 
scholarly  and  well  equipped  for  the  work  from  an  educational 
point  of  view,  but  he  was  also  earnest  and  faithful  and  eminently 
practical.  He  was  an  effective  preacher  and  a  faithful  pastor. 
He  gave  great  promise  of  usefulness  in  his  work  for  the  church, 
but  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  remove  him  to  a  higher  sphere. 

He  is  kindly  remembered  by  many  of  the  members  of  Zion's 
church,  and  the  memorials  that  have  been  erected  in  his  honor 
will  perpetuate  his  memory.  He  was  married  on  the  27th  of 
April,  1886,  to  Miss  Mary  Bush  of  Kittanning,  Pa.  One  child 
was  born  to  them,  which  died  in  infancy. 

Rev.  Enoch  Smith  (i 860-1 S94),  son  of  Jacob  and  Francis 
Smith,  was  born  on  the  3TSt  of  March,  1839,  in  Thompson  town- 
ship, Delaware  county,  Ohio.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm 
and  trained  in  a  Christian  home  and  in  the  public  schools.  In 
1854,  he  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  Capital  Univer- 
sity, Columbus,  Ohio.  He  spent  five  years  in  that  institution, 
and  after  he  had  completed  his  collegiate  course,  he  entered  the 
Seminary  at  the  same  place  where  he  spent  onh^  one  year.  In 
i860  he  was  admitted  to  examination  with  a  view  to  ordination. 
Having  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  he  was  ordained  to  the 
holy  ministry  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  by  the  Ohio 
Synod  on  the  21st  of  December,  i860.  Soon  after  his  ordination 
he  was  called  to  Bellefonfaine,  O. ,  where  he  was  pastor  for  one 
year.  In  1861  he  received  a  call  from  Paris,  Campaign  county, 
O.,  where  he  was  pastor  of  several  congregations  for  five  years. 
He  resigned  this  parish  in  1866,  to  accept  a  call  from  a  parish  in 


REVS.    ENOCH   SMITH. — PAUL   F.    A.    GLASOW.  361 

Carroll  county,  Ohio.  Here  he  remained  for  three  years.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Mt.  Pleasant  parish,  Westmore- 
land county,  Pa.,  where  he  rendered  valuable  services  until 
1873.  In  that  year,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  the  people  of 
the  Greensburg  parish,  as  well  as  by  the  advice  of  the  officers  of 
the  synod,  Rev.  Smith  became  pastor  at  Greensburg.  He 
labored  faithfully  in  this  field  until  1881,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  a  call  from  Salem  church.  Bethlehem,  Pa.  Here  his  miti- 
istry  was  greatly  blessed.  He  built  a  new  church  and  largely 
increased  the  membership  of  tlie  congregation.  He  was  the 
honored  and  successful  pastor  of  these  people  for  ten  years. 
Some  idea  of  his  work  during  these  years  may  be  gained  from 
the  following  data.  He  preached  1040  sermons,  baptized'  306 
persons,  confirmed  285  adults,  married  gi  couples,  and  ccndudted 
175  funerals.  w    ini'  ■ 

Early  in  1892,  Rev.  Smith  left  Bethlehem  to  accept  a  call 
from  Butler,  Pa.,  where  he  was  a  devoted  pastor  initil  his  min- 
istry was  ended.  He  died  on  May,  22,  1894,  after  a  short,  but 
severe  illness,  at  the  age  of  55  years,  leaving  a  ministerial- feeord 
of  34  years.  '■  >H;>f'-^  ^''^^ 

Rev.  Smith  was  a  good  man,  full  of  faith,  and  the  spilrit  "6f 
the  gospel.  He  was  an  earnest  and  effective  preacher,  a  diligent 
and  laborious  worker,  a  conscientious  and  faithful  pastor  whom 
many  will  call  blessed.  '~<^  -'«'   '■''' 

He  was  married  on  the  22nd  of  April,  [86r,  td'^ii^abfeth 
Hensel  of  near  Columbus,  Ohio,  Seven  children,  t\yGsons  and 
five  daughters,  were  born  to  them.  The  elder  soil  WiH^rd  I^v, 
who  had  entered  the  ministry,  died  shortly  before  his  father''^ 
death  occurred.     Mrs.  Smith  and  the  other  children  are  all  living. 

Rev.  Paul  F.  A.  Glasow  (1885- 1897),  was  born  0*6' tl!fe*i6t'h 
of  February,  1852,  at  Stettin,  in  Pomerania,  German  Empire. 
He  was  brought  up  in  this  city  and  trained  in  its  church  and 
schools,  was  educated  to  be  a  merchant.  He  held  responsible 
positions  in  large  commercial  houses  in  Paris,  London  and  St. 
Petersburg,  where  he  gained  valuable  information'  about  meti 
and  things.  i,     ■   ':■  ■■        •  v  k  / 


362  REV.    PAUL    A.    GLASOW. 

In  18S2,  after  an  experience  of  10  or  12  years  in  business  he 
came  to  America.  He  took  time  to  think  and  to  ask  himself  the 
great  question  "What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  "  when  his  active 
mind  was  directed  to  the  subject  of  reHgion  and  he  reaHzed  the 
preciousness  of  his  own  souk  the  conviction  came  upon  him  that 
he  ought  to  do  what  he  coukl  to  save  the  souls  of  his  fellowmen. 
It  was  the  burden  of  this  thought  that  led  him  to  devote  himself 
to  the  ministry.  Like  St.  Paul,  he  did  not  confer  with  flesh  and 
blood,  but  obejang  the  dictates  of  his  conscience,  he  entered  Mt. 
Airy  Seminary,  where  he  spent  three  years  in  diligent  study. 
Having  finished  the  prescribed  course,  he  made  application  to  the 
Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  for  ordination.  Having  passed  a 
satisfactory  examination  before  the  proper  committee,  he  was 
solemnly  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
church . 

Soon  after  his  ordination  he  received  a  call  from  Tamaqua, 
Pa.,  where  he  labored  successfully  till  1889,  when  he  was  sent  to 
Johnstown,  Pa.,  to  look  after  the  interests  of  Zion's  German 
Lutheran  congregation  that  had  been  so  fearfully  wrecked  by 
the  great  flood.  As  soon  as  he  came  on  the  ground,  he  began 
his  benevolent  missionary  work  among  the  people  who  had  sur- 
vived the  great  disaster,  for  the  property  of  the  congregation,  the 
pastor  and  many  of  the  members,  had  been  swept  away. 

At  the  first  congregational  meeting  he  was  unanimously 
elected  pastor  of  Zion's  congregation.  He  accepted  the  call  and 
took  charge  of  the  congregation.  He  at  once  began  to  gather 
the  people  and  collect  money  for  new  buildings  for  the  congrega- 
tion. He  encouraged  the  members  to  hold  together  and 
strengthen  one  another.  The  work  went  on,  as  we  have  noted 
in  the  history,  a  school  house  was  built  the  first  year,  and  the 
church  the  second  year,  and  in  the  few  years  of  his  pastorate, 
the  congregation  grew  from  a  mere  handful  of  adherents  to  a 
congregation  of  900  communicants. 

On  the  7th  of  April,  1897,  ^^  preached  for  the  last  time. 
The  following  day  he  was  called  to  his  reward,  and  his  mortal 
remains  were  laid,  with  solemn  and  impressive  services,  in  Grand 
View  cemetery  at  Johnstown. 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  3^3 

Brother  Glasow  was  an  organizer,  a  man  full  of  faith  and 
hope,  and  loved  the  Master's  cause.  He  was  a  most  earnest  and 
enthusiastic  worker,  truly  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  for 
Christ. 

He  was  married  in  June,  1890,  to  Johanna  Lawrence.  One 
child  was  born  to  them,  but  it  died  in  infanc}'.  His  wife  sur- 
vives him  and  her  home  is  still  in  Johnstown. 

Rev.  John  K.  Plitt  (1850-1898),  son  of  Lewis  and  Mar- 
garet Plitt  of  Harrisburg,  was  born  on  the  ist  of  January,  1828. 
He  was  brought  up  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  city  and  prepared  for  college  at  the  Harris- 
burg Acadeni3\  In  1844  he  entered  the  Sophomore  Class  of 
Penn.sylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  and  graduated  from  that  in- 
stitution in  1847.  He  was  tutor  in  his  alma  mater  for  one  year. 
In  1848,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in  the  same  place, 
finished  his  course  of  studies  in  1850,  and  was  licensed  the  same 
year  by  the  East  Pennsylvania  Synod. 

He  accepted  a  call,  soon  after  his  licensure,  from  the  Lu- 
theran church  at  Greenwich,  New  Jersey,  and  was  pastor  of  it 
till  1866,  when  he  was  called  to  Greensburg  and  Adamsburg 
parish,  in  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  He  served  this  parish  suc- 
cessfully till  1873,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  Trinity  church, 
Catasaqua,  Pa.  He  was  pastor  of  this  parish  for  five  years, 
and  laid  the  foundation  for  a  prosperous  congregation.  In 
1877,  he  received  a  call  from  St.  Stephen's  church  in  Philadel- 
phia, which  he  served  acceptably  for  six  years. 

After  his  resignation  of  St.  Stephen's,  he  did  not  accept  a 
parish,  but  was  engaged  in  doing  work  for  the  church,  both 
preaching  and  filling  important  offices.  He  was  elected  a  trustee 
of  Muhlenberg  College,  which  position  he  filled  for  1 1  years. 

Later,  he  was  elected  a  trustee  of  Mt.  Airy  Seminary.  In 
1889  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  Ministerium,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, which  position  he  held  till  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
filled  other  positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  Ministerium  as  he 
did  in  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  when  he  was  a  member  of  that  body. 
Rev.  J.  K,  Plitt  died  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1898, 


364  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

aged  70  years,  three  mouths  and  12  days.  He  was  48  years  in 
the  ministry,  33  of  which  were  in  pastoral  work. 

Rev.  PHtt  was  a  man  of  genuine  culture,  and  liberal  educa- 
tion. He  was  an  accurate  scholar,  a  good  writer,  a  most  genial 
and  agreeable  companion,  a  gifted  conversationalist,  a  good 
teacher,  an  earnest  preacher  and  a  kind  pastor  and  made  many 
friends  in  his  minisrty. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Horner  of  Gettysburg,  Pa. 
on  the  19th  of  November,  1851.  One  daughter  and  three  sons 
were  born  to  them,  all  of  whom  are  living,  but  the  mother  has 
passed  away. 

Rev.  John  Welfley  (1852-1898),  was  born  in  1823,  near 
Salisbury,  Somerset  county,  Pa. ,  and  was  brought  up  on  a  farm, 
he  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
community. 

He  was  early  inclined  to  study  for  the  ministry.  In  1845, 
he  entered  Pennsylvania  College,  Gettysburg,  spent  two  j^ears 
in  the  preparatory  department,  and  three  years  in  the  college. 
In  1850,  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary,  of  the  same  place 
finished  his  course  of  studies  in  1852,  and  was  licensed  the  same 
year  by  the  Allegheny  Synod  to  preach  the  gospel.  Soon  after 
his  licensure,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lutheran  church  at 
Emmitsburg,  Md.,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Maryland 
Synod.  In  1855,  he  was  ordained  by  that  synod  and  continued 
to  labor  in  its  bounds  till  1858,  when  he  received  a  call  from 
North  Zion,  Allegheny  county.  Pa.,  and  joined  the  Pittsburg 
Synod,  of  which  he  continued  to  be  an  esteemed  member  till  his 
death. 

He  served  the  following  parishes  whilst  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod  :  North  Zion,  in  Allegheny  county,  1858- 
1864;  Apollo  and  Maysville,  Armstrong  county,  1864-1869; 
Donegal,  Westmoreland  county,  1869- 187 5  ;  Boisierston,  Ohio, 
1875-1883  ;  Allegheny  Valley  Mission,  1883-1890. 

After  he  resigned  the  Allegheny  Valley  Mission,  he  retired 
frojn  the  regular  work  of  the  ministry  and  removed  to  Braddock, 
w^ejrje.he,.f,e^d(^d.t|lje  l^p-f  iy;ea,rs:,o/,ilj,is,,lif^..,  .  He  still  preached 


REVS.    JOHN   WKLFLEY.  —  JOS.    R.    FOCHT.  365 

and  rendered  valuable  services  to  the  church,  for  he  was  always 
willing  to  do  church  work  whenever  a  call  was  made  and  he  had 
the  physical  ability  to  do  so.  He  passed  away  very  suddenly  on 
the  19th  of  December,  1898,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  after 
having  been  46  years  in  the  ministry,  ^8  of  which  were  spent  in 
active  service.  On  the  evening  of  the  20th,  the  Rev.  A.  L. 
Yount,  D.  D.,  president  of  Synod  and  Rev.  C.  S.  Seaman, 
president  of  the  Middle  Conference,  assisted  by  several  other 
ministers,  conducted  appropriate  and  impressive  services  at  the 
Welfley  home  in  Braddock.  On  the  following  day  his  mortal 
remains  were  conveyed  to  the  Porch  cemetery  near  Donegal, 
where  Rev.  D.  W.  Michael  performed  the  last  rites  of  christ- 
ian burial. 

Rev.  Welfley  was  a  very  conscientious  man  and  a  diligent 
workman  in  his  Master's  vineyard.  He  was  an  earnest  preacher 
and  a  faithful  pastor.  He  rounded  out  a  pure,  honorable  chris- 
tian life  of  almost  four  score  years.  He  finished  his  course  and 
kept  the  faith,  and  now  he  happily  enjoys  the  crown  of  ever- 
lasting life.  Rev.  Welfley  was  twice  married.  His  widow  and 
three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  survive  him. 

Rev.  Joseph  R.  Focht  (i  849-1 899),  was  born  on  the  30th 
of  January,  18 19,  in  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the 
days  of  his  youth  and  received  his  preparatory  education 

In  1840,  he  entered  Pennsylvania  College  and  continued 
his  studies  there  for  two  years,  when  he  went  to  Sprinfield,  Ohio, 
where  he  took  his  theological  course.  In  1849,  he  was  licensed 
by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  and  soon  afterwards  elected 
pastor  of  a  church  in  Reading,  Pa. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  he  received  a  call  from  the  Lutheran 
churches  in  Ligonier  Valley,  which  he  served  very  successfully 
for  three  years  and  a  half.  In  the  autumn  of  1853  he  accepted 
an  urgent  call  from  a  church  in  Maryland,  which  he  served 
for  several  years.  He  served  successively  the  churches  at 
Reistertown,  Md.,  Dillsburg,  Huntingdon,  and  Lancaster,  Pa. 

The  last  ten  or  twelve  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  retire- 
ment from  the  active  ministy,  but  he  was  engaged  in  some  work 
for  the  church.     He  translated  Schultz's  "History  of  Missions  in 


366  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

India"  and  gathered,  the  material  for  the  History  of  the  Allegheny 
Synod. 

He  died  on  the  25th  of  March,  1899,  at  the  age  of  80.  Rev. 
Focht  was  a  very  earnest  and  active  man.  Whilst  he  was  in  the 
Donegal  parish  he  organized  a  new  congregation  and  re-organized 
all  the  others  by  the  adoption  of  new  constitutions,  built  two 
new  churches,  also  introduced  the  English  language  in  the  church 
services.     Rev.  Focht  was  50  years  in  the  ministry. 

Rev.  a.  H.  Kinxard  (1878- 1900),  was  born  on  the  2nd  of 
March,  1838,  in  Armstrong  county.  Pa.,  where  he  was  also 
brought  up.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the  public 
school.  Later  he  attended  schools  of  higher  grade  and  pur- 
sued his  studies  with  a  view  to  the  ministry. 

But  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  enlisted  and  served 
several  years  in  the  Union  array.  vSeptember,  1876,  he  enter- 
ed the  Philadelphia  Seminary  where  he  pursued  his  theol- 
ogical studies  for  some  time.  After  he  had  completed  his  course 
in  the  Seminary,  he  was  ordained,  in  1878  by  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  to  the  office  of  the  ministry.  Immediately  after  his  or- 
dination he  accepted  a  call  from  Bowling  Green,  Ohio,  where 
he  labored  for  several  years.  He  served  churches  in  West  Vir- 
ginia and  Canada,  and  was  pastor  of  the  Ringgold  parish  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  In  1892,  he  became  pastor  of  Christ's  church, 
West  Newton,  to  which  he  ministered  faithfully  for  four  years. 
In  1896,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lutheran  church  at  London, 
Ohio,  of  which  he  was  pastor  till  the  autumn  of  1899,  when  he 
received  a  call  from  Reynoldsville,  Pa.  He  had  scarcely  time  to 
begin  his  work  in  this  new  field  when  his  ministry  on  earth  was 
ended.  He  died  suddenly  on  the  28th  of  February  1900,  at  the 
age  of  63  years,  and  after  he  naa  been  22   years  in  the  ministry. 

Rev.  Kinnard  was  a  man  of  unblemished  character,  an  earn- 
est preacher,  a  faithful  pastor,  and  has  left  a  good  record 
among  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered. 

He  was  twice  married,  and  was  the  father  of  two  children. 
His  widow  survives  him. 


REVS.    JOHN"    KOWALA. — H.    J.    H.    LKMCKE.  367 

Rev.  John  KowALA,  (1871-1899),  was  born  on  the  ist  of 
June,  in  Silesia,  a  province  in  Prussia,  where  he  was  reared  and 
received  a  liberal  education  in  the  classics,  sciences,  and  general 
literature.  He  could  speak  several  languages  and  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  a  regular  course  in  theology.  In  1871  he  was  ordain- 
ed by  the  bishop  of  the  Province,  by  whose  appointment  he 
filled  important  positions,  and  was  pastor  of  a  parish  for  a  number 
of  3'ears  before  he  came  to  America. 

He  emigrated  to  this  country  about  1888  or  1889,  and  at  once 
sought  for  work.  In  1890  he  made  application  to  be  received  into 
the  Pittsburg  Synod,  on  papers  signed  by  high  officials  in  the 
lyUthern  church,  and  dated  at  Warton,  Silesia.  He  did  missionary 
work  at  several  points  in  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  until  1891  when 
he  became  pastor  of  Christ  German  Lutheran  church,  Jeannette, 
P^/  He  served  this  church  for  several  years  and  did  servace  at 
other  points,  but  in  1897  he  removed  into  the  Ministerium 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  had  charge  of  a  mission  at  Scranton,  Pa., 
where  he  resided  till  his  work  on  earth  was  ended.  He  died 
suddenly  on  the  24th  of  June,  t899,  at  the  age  54  years  and  after 
he  had  been  28  years  in  the  ministry. 

Rev.  H.J.  H.  Lemcke  (1863- 1900),  son  of  Marx  D.,  and 
Anna  Catharine  Lemcke,  was  born  on  the  20th  of  Januaury,  1834 
in  Duchy  of  Holstein,  Germany,  His  parents  emigrated  to 
America  when  he  was  quite  young  and  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Shepherdstown,  West  Virginia.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and 
went  to  school  as  he  had  opportunity, 

In  1855,  he  entered  the  Preparatory  Department  of  Pennsyl- 
vania College,  became  a  Freshman  in  1856  and  graduated  in  i860 
He  taught  in  Middleburg,  Va.,  for  one  year.  In  1861  he  entered 
the  Seminary,  Gettysburg,  and  finished  his  theological  course  in 
1863.  He  was  ordained  the  same  year  by  the  Ministerium  of 
Pennsylvania  and  received  a  call  from  Worthington,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  pastor  for  three  years. 

In  1866  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  West  Newton  parish 
and  served  till  1877,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  at  Elizabethtown,  Pa,,  which  he   served  acceptably   till 


368  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

1 88 1.  The  same  j^ear  he  was  called  to  Altoona,  Pa.,  where  his 
labors  were  crowned  with  success.  Under  his  ministry  the  mem- 
ership  and  financial  strength  of  the  congregation  were  largely  in- 
creased, and  a  fine  church  was  built.  In  1892  he  was  called  to 
become  pastor  of  Grace  church,  Franklin,  Pa.  to  which  he 
ministered  faithfully  till  his  health  failed.  He  resigned  in  August 
1896  and  practically  retired  from  the  active  ministry.  He  continued 
to  reside  at  Franklin  till  the  Master  summoned  him  to  his  reward. 
He  died  on  the  28th  of  December,  1900,  in  the  67th  year  of  his 
age  and  after  he  had  been  37  years  in  the  ministry.  Rev.  Lemcke 
was  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  natural  abilities  and  was  a 
very  fair  scholar.  He  was  an  incisive,  practical  preacher,  a 
diligent  and  kind  pastor  and  has  left  sweet  remembrances  of  his 
work  whe^'ever  he  labored.  He  also  did  some  literary  work;  he 
translated  "Maternal  Love,"  of  the  Fatherland  Sceries,  and  made 
other  contributions  to  tne  press. 

He  was  married  on  the   3rd  of  September,    1863,    to   Miss 
Susan  Catherine  Williamson  of  Shepherdstown,  WestVa.  who  is 
also  dead.     Six  children  were    born    to    them,     two  sons  and 
four  daughters,   all  are  living. 

Rev.  Aaron  Yetter,  (1852-1900)  was  born  on  the  19th  of 
Feb.  1826,  in  Butler,  Pa.,  where  he  was  brought  up  and  receiv- 
ed his  preparatory  education.  He  entered  Pennsylvania  College 
in  1844  and  pursued  his  studies  there  till  1848.  He  took  his  theo- 
ogical  course  at  Capital  Univerity,  Columbus,  O,,  and  was  licensed 
by  the  Ohio  Synod  in  1852.  He  w^as  engaged  in  missionary  work 
in  that  synod  for  several  3'ears.  In  1856  he  received  a  call  from 
the  St  James  and  Salem  parish,  where  labored  faithfully  for  ten 
years.  As  thej^  were  years  of  financial  depression  preceding 
the  Civil  War,  and  during  that  great  struggle,  Rev.  Yetter  had 
to  contend  with  many  hardships  during  his  pastorate. 

In  1866  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Lutheran  Church  at 
Knoxville,  Iowa,  where  he  did  effective  work  for  six  years". 
In  1872  he  resigned  and  accepted  the  superintendency  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Marion  Co.,  la.  He  filled  this  position  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  with  credit  and  satisfaction.     He  continued  to  reside 


REVS.    AARON   YETTER. — GEO.    GAUMER.  369 

in  Knoxville,  and  did  service  for  the  church  'ashe  had  opportu- 
nity. In  1899  he  retired  and  returned  to  Butler,  Pa.,  his  old 
home.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1900,  the  Master  called  him  to  la)^ 
down  his  trust.  His  spirit  returned  to  God  and  his  body  was 
laid  in  the  God's  acre  at  Butler,  with  the  benediction  of  a 
Christian  burial. 

Rev.  Yetter  was  a  plain  man,  but  he  had  an  honest  purpose 
to  do  God's  will.  Eternity  alone  can  reveal  what  are  the  fruits 
of  his  misistry.  He  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
W.  Seiler,  of  Columbns.  O.,  on  the  2nd  of  November,  1852. 

Rev.  George  Gaumer,(i852-i9oi,)  was  born  on  the  13th 
of  March,  1824,  in  Washington  township,  Muskingum  count3% 
Ohio,  and  was  brought  up  in  a  Christian  home.  He  was  bap- 
ized  in  infancy  and  confirmed  when  he  was  only  1 2  years  old. 
As  soon  as  he  had  finished  his  course  in  the  public  school,  he 
entered  Capital  University,  at  Columbus,  with  a  view  of  study- 
ing for  the  ministry,  but  his  health  having  failed,  on  account  of 
overwork,  he  was  compelled  to  discontinue  his  studies  for  several 
years.  Having,  for  the  time  being,  given  up  his  purpose  of  de- 
voting himself  to  the  ministry,  he  engaged  in  teaching.  After 
teaching  for  several  years  his  health  was  restored,  and  he  re- 
sumed his  studies  at  Columbus,  and  finished  his  theological 
course  in  1852.  The  same  year  he  passed  the  examination,  and 
was  licensed,  by  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  to  preach  the  gospel 
for  one  year.  Two  years  later  he  was  ordained  by  the  same 
body  to  the  office  of  the  ministry. 

During  the  30  years  of  Rev.  Gaumer's  active  ministry  he 
served  successfully  the  following  churches  and  parishes  :  he 
spent  one  year  in  the  Adelphia  parish ;  three  years  at  Car- 
rolton,  O.;  12  years  at  Donegal,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.; 
six  5'ears  at  Wadswoth,  Medina  county,  O,;  six  years  at 
Venango,  Crawford  county,  Pa.,  and  two  years  atSeanor's,  West- 
moreland county,  Pa.  In  1884,  he  resigned  St.  Paul's  church, 
Seanor's,  and  retired  from  the  active  ministry.  He  returned  to 
Greenville,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  1900,  when  he 
and  his  wife  took  up  their  abode  in   the    Passavant    Hospital, 


370  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Pittsburg,  and  with  christian  resignation  he  waited  for  the  Mas- 
ter's call. 

Rev.  Gaiiraer  was  summoned  to  his  reward  on  the  17th  of 
May,  1900,  and  his  mortal  remains  were  laid  in  the  cemeterj^  at 
Greenville,  Pa.  He  was  a  devout  Christian,  a  humble  minister, 
a  kind  pastor,  and  a  true  sympathetic  friend,  meek  and  guile- 
less, like  Nathaniel,  and  loving,  like  John. 

He  was  married  on  the  2Sth.  of  Ma5^  1854,  to  Miss  Mary 
Anna  Kelley  of  Adamsville,  Ohio,  who  is  his  only  survivor,  as 
they  had  no  children. 

Rev.  S.  L.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  (1848-1901),  was  born  on  the 
27th  of  April,  1S27,  in  Iredell  county,  N.  C.  The  original 
family  name  was  Hershe.  His  father  was  of  Swiss  ancestry,  his 
mother  of  German.  He  was  dedicated  to  God  in  infancy  by 
hoi)'  baptism.  When  he  was  three  years  old  the  family  removed 
to  Illinois,  and  when  he  was  12  he  was  confirmed  by  Rev.  D. 
Sherer.  After  he  had  received  his  elementary  education  in  the 
home  and  public  school,  he  attended  the  academy  at  Hillsboro, 
111.  In  1844  he  went  to  Pennsylvania  College,  where  he  en- 
tered the  Freshman  class,  and  continued  in  the  institiition  till 
1847,  when  he  discontinued  his  studies  for  a  time  on  account  of 
failing  health.  He  pursued  his  theological  studies  under  the 
direction  of  his  elder  brother,  Dr  vSimeon  Harkey,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  184S  he  was  licensed  by  the  Maryland  Sjmod  to 
preach  the  gospel.  After  his  licensure,  he  taught  at  Mechanics- 
town,  Md.,  for  some  months.  In  1849,  he  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Lutheran  church  at  Newville,  Cumberland,  county,  Pa.,  of 
which  he  was  pastor  for  three  years.  In  1850  he  was  ordained 
by  the  West  Pennsylvania  Synod  to  the  office  of  the  ministry. 
During  the  half  centur)'  of  his  active  ministry  he  success- 
ively served  the  following  churches :  after  his  resignation  at 
Newville,  in  1852,  he  was  sent  as  a  missionary  to  Illinois  and 
labored  at  the  following  towns,  Peoria,  Pekin,  Mendon,  Shelby- 
ville,  Nokomis  and  Vandalia. 

In  1 86 1,  he  was  elected  chaplain  of  the  54th  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Volunteers,   which  position  he  filled  for  one  year.     In 


REV.    S.    L.    HARKEY.  371 

r868,  he  was  elected  English  Professor  in  the  Swedish  Augus- 
tana  College  and  Seminary,  then  located  at  Paxton,  111.  He 
filled  this  position  for  two  years  and  rendered  valuable  services 
to  the  institution  in  the  part  he  took  in  its  removal  to  Rock 
Island  and  in  securing  a  charter  for  it. 

In  1870,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Day- 
ton, O.,  and,  later,  at  Indianapohs,  Ind.  In  1873  he  accepted 
a  call  from  Mt.  Pleasant  parish,  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  In 
1882,  he  took  charge  of  a  mission  in  Toledo,  Ohio  and  later  at 
Lima,  and  the  last  ten  years  of  his  ministry  were  spent  at  Kutz- 
town,  Pa.,  where  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ  on  the  23rd  of  Septem- 
ber, 1 901,  at  the  age  of  74  years,  and  after  having  been  53  years 
in  the  ministry. 

Dr.  S.  L.  Harkey  was  a  scholarly  man,  an  able  pulpit 
orator,  and  a  faithful  pastor.  He  was  a  positive  Lutheran,  who 
left  his  impress  on  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered,  and  did 
effective  work  in  the  churches  which  he  served.  He  was  a 
leader  among  men.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  General 
Council,  whose  position  and  doctrinal  basis  he  always  ably 
defended.  His  abilities  and  culture  were  appreciated,  for  he 
was  highly  honored  by  the  church.  He  filled  many  positions 
of  honor  and  trust  in  the  Synod  and  General  Council.  In  1882 
North  Carolina  College  conferred  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  upon  him  The  Kutztown  paper  says  of  him;  "He 
will  be  missed  not  only  by  his  congregation  and  friends,  but 
also  by  this  community. ' '  His  personality  was  forceful  and  of 
commanding  presence.  He  impressed  you  as  one  cast  in  heroic 
mold.  He  had  strong  convictions,  and  was  fearless  and  earnest 
in  expressing  them.  As  a  minister  he  was  faithful,  conscien- 
tious and  successful." 

His  publications  are:  "The  Signs  of  the  Times,"  (i860); 
"The  Faith  Once  Delivered  to  the  Saints,"  (1867);  "Thorough 
Education,"  (1868);  "The  Only  Son,"  (1869);  "The  Lord's 
Day."  (1878);  "Close  Commimion,  "(1878);  "Agnosticism," 
(1885);  "Natural  Blessings  and  Dangers," (1889);  and  recently, 
"The  Gospel  in  Art"  and  "Little  Hilda." 

As    an  author  he  was  not  without   reputation.     Delighted 


£72  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

hearers  will  recall  his  "Gospel  in  Art,"  and  that  more  recent  labor 
of  love  "Little  Hilda,"  that  pathetic  tribute  to  the  child  which 
he  was  to  follow  so  soon  in  death.  It  was,  however,  as  preacher 
and  pastor  that  his  work  was  most  efficient,  and  while  many 
others  mourn,  none,  beside  the  stricken  relative,  will  have  great- 
er occasion  than  his  late  parishioners,  to  lament  the  fall  of  this 
Master  in  Isreal. 

Dr.  Harkey  was  twice  married.  On  the  i6th  of  May  1848, 
to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Jenkins  of  Gettysburg.  Kight  children  were 
born  to  them,  seven  daughters  and  one  son.  He  mourned  the 
loss  of  his  wife,  a  son  and  three  daughters  by  death.  On 
the  3rd  December,  1872,  Dr.  Harkey  was  married  to  Miss  Susie 
Truman  of  Cincinnati.  A  daughter  was  born  to  them,  who 
with  her  mother,  survives  him. 

Rev.  Prof.  Edward  L.  Baker  (1885),  son  of  Rev  IsaacO. 
P.  and  A.  OHvia  (Crane)  Baker,  was  born  on  January  21st,  1862, 
in  Pleasant  Unity, Westmoreland  count}^  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
only  six  months  old  when  his  father  died,  so  he  was  left  entirely 
to  the  care  of  his  mother,  who  devoted  her  time  and  strength  to 
bringing  him  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  and 
took  a  full  collegiate  course  in  Thiel  college,  from  which  institu- 
tion he  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class  in  18&2. 
In  the  autumn  of  the  same  j^ear  he  entered  Mt.  Airy  Seminary 
at  Philadelphia.  Having  completed  his  theological  course  in  1885, 
he  applied  to  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  which  had  educated  him, 
for  ordination.  He  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  and  was 
solemnly  ordained  to  the  olnce  of  the  ministry. 

In  the  fall  of  1886  he  received  a  call  from  Irwin  and  Manor, 
and  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  parish,  which  he  served  faith- 
fully for  five  years.  In  1891  he  resigned  to  go  to  the  Stone 
Creek  parish  in  Ohio,  where  he  labored  for  nearl}'  six  years. 
In  1897  he  was  elected  to  the  Professorship  o;  Greek  and  His- 
tory in  Thiel  College  for  which  his  scholarly  attainments  well 
Hted  him.     He  is  a  student  who  makes  careful   preparation  for 


REVS.  WM.  F.  BAUER — J.  A.  BAUMAN.  373 

work,  and  has  filled  the  position  which  he  holds  with  credit  to 
himself  and  profit  to  those  under  his  instruction. 

Professor  Baker  was  married  1887  to  Miss  Louisa  Marquar, 
of  Rochester,   Pa.     Two  sons  have  been  born  to  them. 

Rev.  \Vm.  E.  Bauer  (1897),  ^^^  j'oungest  son  of  Louis 
and  Magdalena  Bauer,  was  born  on  the  27th  of  May,  1874,  on 
his  father's  farm  near  Warren,  Pa. 

His  father  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Lutheran  church 
at  Warren;  was  an  active  member  of  the  council  for  22  years, 
and  an  honorary  member  the  rest  of  his  life.  William  attended 
the  public  schools  in  the  vicinity  till  he  was  13  years  old  when 
the  family  moved  to  Warren,  For  two  years  he  attended  the 
graded  schools  of  the  town.  In  the  fall  of  1889  he  enterea  the 
Senior  Academic  class  of  Thiel  College  and  followed  the  regular 
course,  graduating  in  1894.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he 
entered  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in   1897. 

Having  received  a  call  from  the  Saltsburg  and  Fennelton 
parish,  while  yet  in  the  Seminary,  he  began  to  hold  services 
there  on  the  20th  of  June,  and  continued  these  services  until 
he  was  regularly  ordained  at  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod 
on  the  29th  of  August,  1897.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  this 
parish  on  the  3rd  of  October,  by  Rev.  Phillip  Doerr,  who  had 
been  his  pastor  and  confirmed  him  in  1888.  He  did  faithful  work 
here  for  nearly  five  years,  and  had  good  success,  as  has 
been  noted  in  the  history  of  the  congregations. 

On  the  ist  of  F'ebruary,  1902,  an  urgent  call  came  to  him 
from  Trinity  church  at  Braddock,  Pa.,  which,  after  mature  de- 
liberation, he  accepted.  He  has  commenced  his  work  in  this 
new  field  with  fair  prospects  of  success. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Pauline  Schmidt,  of  Saltsburg,  Pa. , 
on  4th  of  Ma}^  1900.  A  daughter  has  been  born  to  them  which 
has  been  baptized  Grace  Estela. 

Rev.  Prof.  J.  A.  Bauman,  Ph.  D.  (1876),  son  of  John  M. 
and  Martha  Bauman,  was  born  on  September  21.  1847,  i^  South 


374  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

Easton,  Pa.  He  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  seven- 
teen. Then  he  taught  for  five  terms  in  order  to  defray  the  ex- 
penses of  his  collegiate  and  theological  training.  In  1869  he 
entered  Muhlenburg  college  from  which  institution  he  graduated 
in  1873  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.  In  the  same  year 
he  was  admitted  to  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Philadelphia. 
He  finished  the  course  of  study  in  1876,  and  in  June  of  the  same 
year  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Immediately  after  his  ordination,  he  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Delmont  parish,  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  labored  for 
one  year.  In  the  spring  of  1877  he  accepted  a  position  as  Prof- 
essor at  the  Keystone  Normal  School,  Kutztown,  Pa.  After 
four  years  of  faithful  service,  he  left  Kutztown  to  accept  a  prof- 
essorship in  Gustavus  Adolphus  College,  St.  Peter,  Minnesota, 
where  he  remained  for  four  years. 

In  1885  he  was  elected  to  the  Chair  of  Natural  and  Applied 
Sciences  in  Muhlenburg  College,  a  position  which  he  held  for 
17  years  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the  institu- 
tion. As  a  preacher  he  is  plain  and  practical,  as  a  teacher  he  is 
thorough,  enthusiastic,  and  successful. 

Prof.  Bauman  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss 
Irene  Smith  of  Philadephia ;  his  second.  Miss  Lizzie  Keefer. 

Rev.  Franklin  Smith  Beistel  (1898),  son  of  Henry  and 
Nancy  Evans  Beistel,  was  born  in  Mt.  Pleasant  township,  West- 
moreland county.  Pa.  He  was  baptized  in  infancj'  by  Rev. 
Enoch  Smith,  and  when  he  came  to  years  of  young  manhood  he 
was  confirmed  by  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts. 

He  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  vicinity,  and  later,  he 
attended  the  Greensburg  Seminary.  He  taught  one  school  term, 
and,  having  decided  to  make  teaching  his  profession,  he  went  to 
the  State  Normal  school,  Edenboro,  Pa.,  where  he  graduated  in 
1890.  He  continued  to  teach,  but  in  the  fall  of  1891  he  took 
up  Freshman  studies.  He  taught  during  the  winter, {pursued  his 
studies  and  recited  to  Rev.  A.  D.  Potts,  his  pastor.  In  the 
spring  following,  he  entered  the  Freshman  class  Thiel  College. 
He    taught    the     next   winter     again,     pursuing     Sophomore 


REVS.    F.    S.    BEISTEL. — J.    A.    BOORD.  375 

studies  and  reciting  to  Rev.  Potts.  He  entered  the  Sophomore 
class  the  following  spring  and  graduted  in  1895  at  the  head  of 
his  class. 

He  had  not,  as  yet,  made  up  his  mind  to  study  for  the  min- 
istry, but  after  he  had  an  interview  with  Rev.  Dr.  Weidner,  he 
decided  to  go  to  the  Chicago  Theological  Seminary  and  devote 
himself  to  the  ministr3^  He  entered  in  the  fall  of  1895,  ^^d  was 
one  of  the  first  Thiel  College  students  to  enter  that  Western 
school  of  the  prophets.  He  took  the  full  course  and  graduated 
in  1898. 

In  May,  of  that  year,  he  accepted  a  call  from  Holy  Trinity 
church,  Jeannette,  Pa.  He  was  ordained  on  the  19th  and  install- 
ed pastor  on  the  22nd  of  the  month.  He  has  diligently  pursued 
his  work  in  this  field  and  has  been  quite  successful.  In  July, 
1900,  he  offered  his  resignation  to  accept  a  call  from  lyincoln, 
Neb.,  but  the  congregation  unaninously  refused  to  accept  the 
resignation.  It  was  recalled  and  he  is  still  their  popular  and 
successful  pastor. 

Rev.  J.  a.  Boord,  (1891),  was  born  and  brought  up  near 
Jumonville,  Fayette  county,  Fa.  His  preparatory  education  was 
largely  directed  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Waters,  who  kindly  assisted  him, 
through  whose  influence  he  also  entered  Thiel  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1888.  In  the  same  year  he  became  one 
of  the  teachers  in  the  Greensburg  Seminary. 

In  1 890  he  entered  Mount  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia  and 
spent  one  year  there  in  the  study  of  theology'.  In  1891  he  was  or- 
dained by  the  Chicago  Synod  and  accepted  a  call  from  a  parish  in 
Indiana.  After  having  spent  one  year  in  this  field  he  returned 
to  Pennsylvania.  While  he  was  here  he  received  a  call  from 
Jacob's  Church,  Fayette  county.  Pa.,  which  he  accepted,  and 
was  pastor  of  this  church  for  about  two  years.  He  resigned  in 
1894,  and  turned  his  attenton  to  farming,  in  hope  of  fully 
recovering  his  health. 

In  1895  he  received  an  urgent  call  from  the  Donegal  parish 
which  he  accepted  and  served  it  over  two  years.  During  this 
short  pastorate  he  built  a  nice  church  at  Donegal,  greatly  re- 


376  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

vived  the  old  congregation  and  did  a  good  work  in  the  parish. 
In  1S98  he  accepted  a  call  from  Nova  Scotia,  where  he  was  a 
sucessful  pastor  for  several  vears,  but,  owing  to  the  fact  that  his 
wife's  health  was  being  impaired  by  the  severity  of  the  climate, 
he  removed  to  Florida  with  his  famil}',  and  has  united  with  a 
Synod  in  the  South  and  accepted  work  in  its  bounds. 

He  was  married  in  [890  to  Miss  Pierce  of  Greensburg. 

Rev.  George  A.  Bruegel,  (1861),  son  of  Rev.  Christopher 
J.  Bruegel,  of  Goettenberg,  Wuertemberg,  Germany, was  born  on 
13th  of  June,  1837;  was  baptized  in  infancy  and  confirmed  by 
his  father  in  1851,  in  the  Lutheran  church  in  Maessingen.  He 
received  his  earh'  training  in  the  home  and  the  parochial  school. 

In  1853  he  entered  the  Gymnasium  at  Tuebingen  where  he 
spent  four  5'ears  in  diligent  study.  In  September,  1857,  ^^  came 
to  America,  and  in  March,  1859,  he  entered  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  took  his  course  in  theology. 
He  was  ordained  in  the  church  at  Zanesville,  O.,  to  which 
he  had  recently  been  called.  He  served  this  church  quite  ac- 
ceptably till  1864,  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Canton  parish,  which  was  composed  of  four  congregations,  and,  a 
little  later,  two  more  were  added.  Whilst  serving  this  large  and 
1  iborous  field  his  health  failed  and  he  was  compelled  to  resign. 

After  resting  for  a  few  months  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Greensburg  parish,  and  did  faithful  and  effective  work  during 
the  three  years  of  his  pastorate,  but  in  1872  he  accepted  a  call  to 
the  First  Church  at  Warren,  Pa.,  where  he  rendered  service  for 
several  j^ears.  After  leaving  Warren,  in  1875,  he  labored  at  the 
following  places  :  Mauch  Chunk,  Carbon  county,  Cherryville, 
Lehigh  count)-,  Pa,  and  Utica,  N.  Y.,  then  as  German  Professor 
in  Thiel  College,  as  pastor  of  a  German-English  congregation  in 
Frie.  Pa.  until  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  ill  health,  and, 
later,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Philipsburg,  N.  J.,  where  he  is  now 
doing  successful  work. 

Rev.  Breugel  is  a  man  of  talent  and  has  a  liberal  education. 
He    has   an    active    and    energetic    spirit ;    is    an    able    pulpit 


PEVS.    G.    A.    BRUEGEI^. — A.    H.    BARTHOLOMEW.  377 

orator,  who  preaches  equally  well  in  German  and   English.     He 
has  been  41  years  in  the  ministry. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Ovila  Swabe  of  Zanesville,  Ohio. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  three  of  whom,  one  son 
and  two  daughters,  are  living. 

Rev.  Amos  H.  Bartholomew  (1869),  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Anna  (Sloan)  Bartholomew,  was  born  September  21,  1871, 
in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  also  reared  and  received 
his  early  training.  The  desire  to  be  a  minister  was  early  kindled 
in  his  heart,  and  he  pursued  his  studies  with  that  object  in  view. 
He  attended  the  High  School  at  Three  Rivers,  Mich.,  and  in 
Goshen,  Ind.  During  these  years  he  supported  himself  with  his 
own  efforts.  Early  in  the  sixties  he  went  to  Capital  University, 
Columbus,  O.,  where  he  spent  two  years.  In  1866  he  entered 
the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  and  graduated  in  May,  1869.  He 
was  ordained  soon  afterward  and  accepted  a  call  to  Trenton,  N. 
J.,  where  he  spent  five  years.  He  re-organized  the  congregation, 
and  built  a  fine  brown  stone  church  in  place  of  the  old  chapel 
destroyed  by  fire. 

In  1874  he  became  pastor  of  the  Greensburg  and  Adams- 
burg  parish,  and  served  it  till  the  autumn  of  1876.  Whilst  at 
Greensburg  he  organized  Trinity  church,  Irwin,  Pa.,  and  was 
also  instrumental  in  dividing  the  parish,  making  Zion  church, 
Greensburg,  self-supporting.  After  leaving  Greensburg  he  min- 
istered to  the  following  churches :  the  Church  of  the  Twelve 
Apostles,  Saegertown,  Pa.,  1874-1881;  Trinity,  Cleveland,  O., 
1881-1887;  a  Mission  near  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  1889-1890 ;  St. 
James,  Ligonier,  Pa.,  1893-1898;  and  Prospect,  Butler  county, 
Pa.,  parish  since  the  autumn  of  1901.  At  Cleve!and  he  organ- 
ized a  congregation,  gathered  a  Sunday  School  and  built  a  neat 
church.  At  Ligonier  he  also  started  to  build  a  church,  of  which 
he  laid  the  corner-stone,  which  was  completed  by  his  successor. 
In  his  present  parish  he  has  made  a  good  beginning,  and  has  the 
prospect  of  a  successful  pastorate.  He  has  been  33  j-ears  in  the 
ministry,  part  of  which  time  he  did  general  church  work,  but 
has  always  been  engaged  in  doing  work  for  the  Master, 


378  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCR. 

Rev.  Bartholomew  married  Miss  Rachel  Kithns,  daughter  of 
the  late  Philip  Kuhns,  of  Greensburg,  Pa.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  them — two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Rev.  V.  B.  Christy,  ( 1868),  son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth 
Christy  was  born  near  Circleville,  Ohio,  January  23,  1841. 
He  attended  the  public  schools  and  spent  several  years  at 
Capital  University,  Columbus.  In  1856  the  family  went  to 
Farmington,  Iowa,  and  early  in  the  next  year  they  moved  to  a 
farm  in  Clark  county,  Missouri,  where  he  helped  to  reduce 
the  new  land  to  a  state  of  cultivation.  Here  he  spent  a  number 
of  3'ears,  availing  himself  of  such  educational  advantage  as  the 
community  afforded  and  teaching  school  in  i860.  From  1862- 
1865  he  attended  Fairfield  college.  It  was  during  this  time,  in 
the  spring  of  1864,  that  he  enlisted  in  company  I,  45th  Regiment, 
Iowa  Infantry,  and  served  until  September  in  Southwestern  Ten- 
nessee. In  the  autumn  of  of  1865,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated  in  June, 
1868.  On  the  loth  of  the  month  he  was  ordained  by  the  Minis- 
terium  of  Pennsylvania. 

For  a  few  years  he  did  mission  work  in  Chicago  and  Mil- 
waukee, but  in  the  autumn  of  1868,  be  accepted  a  call  from  the 
Delmont  parish,  entering  upon  his  pastoral  duties  in  that  field  in 
October.  In  the  seven  and  a  half  years  that  followed  he  minis- 
tered to  this  parish  and  extended  his  work  so  that  in  April.  1876, 
he  organized  a  congregation  at  Saltsburg.  In  the  same  month,  he 
accepted  a  call  from  the  Irwin  and  Adamsburg  parish,  which  he 
served  until  i8St.  It  was  during  this  time  that  the  Holy  Trin- 
ity church  at  Irwin  was  built.  In  1 88 1  he  went  to  Zelienople, 
where  he  also  built   a  new  church. 

Born  in  Ohio,  he  felt  he  could  not  easily  decline  a  call  from 
his  native  State,  hence  he  removed  to  Ellerton,  Ohio,  in  April, 
1890,  where  he  has  been  pastor  for  12  years.  His  work  has 
been  greatly  blessed,  and  the  congregation  enjoys  remarkable 
prosperity. 

Rev.  Christy  was  married  November  i,  1870,  to  Miss  Susan 
Welty,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Welty  of  Hannastown.  Pa. 


REVS.    GEO.    DIENER. — GEO.    DIETZ.  379 

Rev.  George  J.  Diener,  (1891),  son  of  Jacob  and  Eliza- 
beth Diener,  was  born  on  the  15th  of  November,  1861,  near 
Shannondale,  Clarion  county,  Pa.  When  he  was  five  years  old, 
his  parents  removed  to  Jefferson  county,  where  they  still  reside. 
Here  George  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  accustomed  to  work. 
He  rceieved  his  education  in  the  schools,  his  religious  training  in 
the  home  and  in  the  church.  Rev.  Jacob  Ash  confirmed  him, 
and  also  assisted  him  in  reaching  a  conclusion  regarding  his  call- 
ing in  life.  In  the  spring  of  1883  he  entered  Thiel  College, 
where  he  finished  his  course  in  1888.  He  immediately  entered 
Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1891, 
On  the  25th  of  May  following,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  to  the  office  of  the  ministry.  Immediately  after  his  ordina- 
tion he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Middle  Lancaster  parish, where  he 
served  for  two  and  one  half  years.  During  his  pastorate  a  new 
church  was  built  and  the  congregation  greatly  strengthened. 
On  the  ist  of  January,  1894,  he  became  pastor  of  Harrison  Citv 
and  Boquet  parish,  which  he  served  until  January,  1901,  when 
he  offered  his  resignation.  It  was  accepted  by  St.  John's,  Boquet, 
but  Zion's  church,  Harrison  City,  refused  to  consider  it.  Since 
October,  1901,  he  has  been  pastor  of  that  congregation,  and  it  is 
now  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Rev.  Diener  is  a  sincere  man  and  an  earnest  worker  in  the 
church,  the  fruits  of  his  labor  being  evident  in  his  parish.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Ella  J,  Beighley,  of  Butler  county,  on  the 
2nd  of  June,  1 89 1.     One  son  was  born  to  them. 

Rev.  George  Dietz,  (1890),  was  born  on  the  21st  of  Sept- 
ember, 1864,  in  Kitzengen,  Bavaria,  Germany.  He  attended 
the  classical  school  in  his  native  place,  and  spent  a  year  in  the 
Gymnasium  in  Schweinfurt.  Later  he  attended  the  University  at 
Erlangen.  He  served  one  year  as  a  volunteer  soldier  in  Munich, 
and  then  accepted  the  position  of  vicar,  or  assistant,  to  the  pastor 
in  Selbe,  in  1888.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1890,  and  in  Sept- 
ember of  that  year,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod. 
He  was  pastor  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  at  Etna, 
Allegheny  county,  Pa.,  until  1893.     Then  he  served  the  congre- 


380  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

gatioii  at  Greenock,  till  1896,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  par- 
ish composed  of  Christ  Church,  Jeannette,  and  the  German  con- 
gregation at  McDonald,  Pa.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Southern 
Conference  in  October,  1901,  Jeannette  was  constituted  a  separate 
parish,  and  since  that  time  Rev.  Dietz  has  devoted  all  his  time 
to  this  field. 

Rev.  Dietz  is  a  hard  worker  and  earnestly  seeks  the  good  of 
his  people.  He  is  a  man  of  fine  mind  and  spotless  character,  and 
is  thoroughl}'  devoted  to  his  native  language.  He  is  married, 
and  has  two  children. 

Rev.  Philip  Doerr,  (1869),  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa., 
January  23,  1840.  He  received  his  earl}- education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  his  native  place,  and,  later,  spent  five  years  at 
Pennsjdvania  college  where  he  graduated  with  the  honor  of 
the  German  oration,  in  1864.  During  the  invasion  of  Pennsyl- 
vania by  Lee,  in  1863,  he  was  one  of  60  students  who  were  sworn 
into  service,  and  served  during  that  memorable  period  in 
Company  A,  26th  Regiment,  P.  V.  M.  After  his  graduation, 
he  was  clerk  in  the  U.  S.  Arsenel  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  in 
1865  again  enlisted  in  Company  K,  192nd  New  York  Volunteers, 
He  held  the  rank  of  corporal  and  served  as  clerk  in  the  regimental 
headquarters.  After  his  discharge  from  the  service,  in  1866,  he 
engaged  in  teaching.  He  was  principal  of  the  academy  and 
Normal  School  at  Kingwood,  W.  Va,,  for  one  3'ear,  and  of 
the  public  schools,  Cumberland,  Md.,  for  two  years.  During 
this  time  he  pursued  the  study  of  theology  under  the  direction 
of  Revs.  A.  J.  Weddell,  Henry  Bishop,  and  Dr.  Heyer.  In  1869 
he  was  licensed  by  Dr.  Heyer,  acting  president  of  the  Maryland 
Sjmod,  and  served  the  English  Lutheran  church  at  Cumberland 
until  the  spring  of  1869,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Everett  City 
parish  in  Bedford  count}',  Pa.  Since  1871,  he  has  been  connected 
with  theJPittsburg  Synod,  and  has  served  successively  the  follow- 
ing parishes:  Venango,  Crooked  Creek,  West  Newton,  Warren, 
Saxonburg,  Delmont,  Ligonier,  and  Brush  Creek.  Of  the  last 
named  parish  he  has  been  pastor  since  1897. 

Rev  Doerr  has  been  34  3'ears  in  the  ministry,  and  his  work 


REVS.    PHILIP    DOERR — ^JESSE   DUNN.  38 1 

has  been  attended  with  great  success.  He  is  a  hard  worker,  an 
effective  preacher  and  a  diligent  pastor.  He  was  married  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1865, to  Wilhelmina  Bream,  of  Lancaster,  Pa. 

Rev.  Jesse  Dunn,  (1884),  was  bom  on  the  nth  of  August, 
1850,  near  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Reared  on  a  farm,  he  spent  his 
summers  in  farm  work,  and  attended  school  during  the  winter 
months.  Much  of  his  education,  during  this  period,  was  gained 
from  the  books  which  he  obtained  from  the  public  libraries. 
After  leaving  the  public  schools,  he  attended  an  academy  at 
Southport,  and  the  State  Noimal  school  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 
It  was  while  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  at  some  distance 
from  home  that  he  first  became  acquainted  with  the  Lutheran 
church;  for  his  parents  were  not  Lutherans,  his  father  being  a 
Scotch  Presbyterian  and  his  mother  a  Methodist.  The  son,  feel- 
ing that  he  could  not  accept  the  doctrines  of  the  Westminster 
Confession,  joined  the  Methodist  church,  but,  later,  transferred 
his  membership  to  the  Lutheran  church.  About  the  year  1874, 
he  decided  to  study  for  the  ministry,  but  financial  difficulties 
presented  themselves,  he  had  not  means  to  go  to  Philadelphia 
to  study,  and  the  Synod  was  not  able  to  help  him.  It  was  finally 
decided  to  place  him  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Stirewalt,  and, 
later,  Rev.  J.  G.  Hursh,  with  whom  he  pursued  his  studies  in 
theology.  In  June,  1884,  he  was  ordained  to  the  office  of  the  minis- 
try. Soon  afterwards  he  accepted  a  call  to  Benton,  Elkhart, 
county,  Ind.  A  year  later,  he  organized  a  congregation  at  Syra- 
cuse, Ind,  and  within  five  years,  he  also  organized  a  church 
at  Nappanee,  Ind.  These  three  congregations  were  united, 
and  were  known  as  the  Syracuse  parish.  Rev.  Dunn  was  pastor 
of  the  parish  until  1896,  \^  hen  he  accepted  a  call  to  his  present 
field  of  labor.  Pleasant  Unity,  which  he  has  served  for  six  years. 
He  is  a  sincere  Christian  and  a  faithful  worker  in  the  Master's 
cause,  and  deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished 
during  his  ministry.     He  is  married  and  has  three  children. 

Rev.  David  Earhart,  (1844),  son  of  David  and  Catharine 
Earhart,  was  born  on  the  28th  of  February,    1818,  in  Indiana 


382  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCR. 

county,  Pa,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  his 
elementary  education  in  such  schools  as  were  maintained  in  the 
rural  districts  before  the  public  school  system  was  established. 
After  he  reached  the  years  of  manhood,  he  attended  the  academy 
at  Indiana,  where  he  studied  the  higher  English  branches  and 
the  classics.  He  pursued  his  theological  course  under  the  in 
struction  of  Rev.  Leiter  and  Rev.  Dr.  Ezra  Keller  of  Wooster,  O. 
In  September,  1844,  he  was  licensed  by  the  East  Ohio  Synod, 
and  in  the  following  month  received  a  call  from  a  parish  in 
Armstrong  county,  Pa. ,  composed  of  Leechburg  and  other  points. 
He  moved  to  Leechburg  in  November,  and  began  work  in  his 
new  field.  He  organized  several  new  congregations  and  built 
new  churches  for  them.  He  also  built  a  church  for  the  Hebron 
congregation  at  lycechburg,  and  one  for  St.Mathew's  congresration 
in  Buffalo  township.  In  1845  he  took  part  in  the  orgaaization  of 
the  Pittsburg  Synod.  Under  his  ministry,  the  parish  increased 
in  numbers  and  financial  strength,  and  before  he  resigned  it  was 
divided  into  several  parishes.  In  the  spring  of  i860,  he  removed 
to  Kansas,  where  he  engaged  in  mission  work,  organizing  con- 
gregations and  building  churches.  In  1873,  he  returned  to  Penn- 
sylvania, accepting  a  call  from  the  Levansville  parish  in  Somerset 
county,  where  he  served  until  July,  1876,  when  he  became  pastor 
of  the  Donegal  parish  in  Westmoreland  county.  Here  he  remain- 
ed for  six  years,  during  which  time  he  organized  Bethel  congre- 
ation,  built  a  church  for  it,  and  also  built  a  church  for  Good  Hope 
congregation,  and  remodeled  the  old  church  at  Donegal. 

In  1882,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Crooked  Creek  parish, 
which  he  had  formerly  ser^^ed,  and  was  pastor  until  1887,  when 
he  resigned,  and  retired  from  the  active  ministry.  He  has  not  en- 
tirely given  up  his  work,  however,  as  he  has  done  much  preach- 
ing and  writing  since  that  time. 

Father  Earhart  is  now  84  years  old,  and  has  been  58  years 
in  the  ministry.  He  is  a  patriarch  in  the  church,  the  only  sur- 
viving charter  member  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  his  name 
stands  at  the  head  ot  our  clerical  roll.  He  has  been  an  intensely 
active  minister,  and  a  successful  pastor,  who  can  point  to  the 
results  of   his  work  in  all  the  parishes  in  which  he  has  labored . 


REVS.    H.    G.  ERDMAN — JOS.    O.    GLENN.  383 

He  was  married  on  the  i6th  of  November,  1841,  to  Miss 
Mary  Wells  Patton,  of  Somerset  county.  Twelve  children,  six 
sons  and  six  daughters,  were  born  to  them,  eight  of  whom  are 
still  living.     Mrs.  Earhart  died  in  1893. 

Rev.  Hugo  R.  Erdmann,  (1894),  was  born  February  5, 
1873,  in  Kletzko,  Prussia,  Germany.  He  received  his  prepara- 
tory education  in  parochial  schools,  and  studied  at  the  theologi- 
cal seminary  at  Kropp,  Province  of  Schleswig-Holstein,  from 
1888  to  r893. 

Soon  after  his  graduation  in  1893  he  came  to  America  and 
was  received  by  the  Ministerium  of  New  York,  to  which  he  had 
been  recommended.  He  was  sent  as  a  missionary  to  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  on  February  4,  1894,  after  being  examined  by  the 
committee  of  the  New  York  Ministerium,  he  was  ordained  at 
Meriden,  Conn.  He  organized  Trinity  Lutheran  congregation 
at  Hartford,  Concordia  congregation  at  South  Manchester,  and 
started  a  preaching  station  at  Broad  Brook,  Conn.  In  March, 
1896,  he  received  a  call  from  Christus  church,  at  North  Cramer 
Hill,  Camden,  N.  J.  In  December,  1899,  he  was  unanimously 
called  to  Zion's  German  church  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  where  he 
has  been  pastor  since  January  1900. 

Rev.  Erdmann  is  a  genial  and  courteous  man,  a  fluent  and 
popular  preacher,  a  diligent  and  sympathetic  pastor,  who  has 
been  eminently  successful  in  his  present  parish.  He  is  married 
and  is  the  father  of  two  children. 

Rev.  Joseph  Osgood  Glenn,  (1901),  the  son  ofRev.  Thos. 
Glenn,  was  born  on  the  i8th  October,  1862,  at  Singleton,  Win- 
ston county,  Miss.  The  father  was  of  Scotch  ancestry,  the 
mother  of  German  descent.  Joseph  spent  his  youth  on  his 
father's  farm  and  attended  the  public  schools,  and,  later,  Beth 
Eden  Institute,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1884,  having  in  the 
meantime  taught  for  two  years  in  the  public  schools,  and  one 
year  in  the  Soule  college,  Chapel  Hill,  Tex.  During  1887-1888 
he  was  principal  of  the  Moss  Point  academy.  Miss.  In  the  au- 
tumn of  1888  he  entered  the  Junior  class  at  Roanoke  College, 


384  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

Salem,  Va.,  where  he  graduated  in  1890.  In  the  same  year  he 
became  principal  of  Soule  college,  and  from  189I-1894  he  was 
principal  of  the  Brooksville  High  School  in  Mississippi.  Then 
he  entered  business,  first  as  a  clerk  and  bookkeeper,  later,  as  a 
partner.  Financially,  he  was  very  successful,  but  he  was  not 
satisfied  with  his  vocation.  He  had  been  married,  in  1893,  ^^ 
Miss  Dan  Ella  McLeod,  and  in  1898,  he  removed, with  his  family, 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  entered  Mt.  Airy  Seminary.  He 
graduated  in  1901,  and  was  ordained  on  the  3rd  of  June,  by  the 
Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.  On  the  second  Sunday  in  August 
he  received  a  call  from  the  Donegal  parish,  and  commenced  work 
in  this  field  on  the  21st  of  the  same  montn.  He  has  made  a  good 
beginning  and  has  bright  prospects  for  a  successful  pastorate. 

Rev.  Geo.  Jonas  Gongaware,  (1896),  the  son  of  Philip 
J.  and  Hettie  (Eisaman)  Gongaware  was  born  on  the  17th  of 
December,  1866,  near  Adamsburg, Westmoreland  county,  Pa.  In 
March,  1867,  the  family  removed  to  Weaver's  Old  Stand  (now 
Armburst).  Here,  in  June,  the  child  was  baptized,  being  given 
the  names  of  its  two  grandfathers.  It  was  here  that  he  spent  his 
boyhood,  and  was  received  into  full  membership  in  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  by  private 
instruction,  until  1886,  when  he  began  to  teach.  In  this  work  he 
continued  until  1889,  during  which  time  he  prepared  to  enter 
college,  partly  at  the  Greensburg  Seminary,  but  chiefly  by  private 
study.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Freshman  class  of  Thiel 
college  in  1889,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1893.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  he  entered  Mt.  Airy  Seminary, 
where  he  finished  the  course  1896.  Having  received  a  call  from 
St.  Paul's,  Uniontown,  Pa.,  he  was  ordained  on  August  30,  1886, 
by  the  Pittsburg  Synod  to  the  ofiice  of  the  ministry.  He  served 
this  congregation  with  a  gratifying  measure  of  success  until 
October,  1901;  when  he  accepted  the  professorship  of  English  in 
the  Greensburg  Seminary,  and  in  February,  1902,  he  became 
pastor  of  St.  Luke's  church,  Youngwood,  which  he  serves  con- 
jointly with  the  professorship  in  the  Seminary.  He  married 
Miss  Frances  Brown,  of  Rochester,  Pa. 


REVS.    J.    R.    GROFF — B.    F.    HANKEY — W.  S.    HEIST.         385 

Rev.  Johnston  R.  Groff  (i86i),  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Pa.,  where  he  was  also  reared  and  received  his  preparatory  edu- 
cation. In  1856  he  entered  Pennsjdvania  College,  and  graduated 
in  1S60  ,  spent  one  year  in  the  Gettysburg  Seminary,  and  was 
licensed  in  1861.  He  has  been  pastor  of  the  following  churches, 
viz  :  Trinity  church,  Mechanicsburg,  Pa.,  1 861 -1862,  St.  John's 
1S62-1872,  Memorial  church,  Erie,  Pa.,  1872-1874,  St.  John's, 
Kaston,  Pa.,  1 874-1 881,  Danville  1881  1888,  Mt.  Pleasant  parish 
1888-1891,  and  Doylestown  since  1891. 

Rev.  GrofF  is  an  acceptnble  preacher,  an  energetic  pastor, 
and  faithful  workman  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  has  been  41 
5'ears  in  the  ministry  and  is  still  as  active  as  ever.  He  has  been 
married  twice.  January  i8th  1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Gertrude  Riegel,  who  died  many  years  ago.  In  1889  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Kleindienst  of  Easton,  Pa. 

Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Hankey,  (1899),  son  of  William  and 
Sarah  Hankey,  was  born  January  18,  1866,  in  Armstrong  county. 
Pa.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  and  at 
the  academy  at  Brick  Church,  and  was  under  the  instruction  of 
Rev.  D.  D.  Miller.  He  spent  three  years  at  Thiel  College  and 
three  years  at  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  where  he  graduated  in  1899. 
He  was  ordained  in  June  of  the  same  year  at  the  m  eeting  of  the 
Synod  in  Butler,  Pa.  and  was  sent  as  a  missionary  to  Porto  Rico, 
where  he  and  Rev.  Richards  organized  a  Lutheran  church  in  the 
capital  city,  San  Juan.  After  a  year  of  faithful  and  successful 
work,  Rev.  Hankey  was  obliged  to  return  to  the  United  States 
on  account  of  ill  health.  Several  months  after  his  return  he 
received  a  call  from  the  Scottdale  church.  He  has  done  very 
effective  work  in  this  parish  since  he  became  pastor,  and,  if 
the  favorable  conditions  can  be  maintained,  this  mission  will 
soon  be  self-sustaining. 

Rev.  William  S.  Heist  (1901),  son  of  Henry  and  Leanna 
S.  Heist,  was  born  on  April  12th,  [871,  near  Quakertown, 
Bucks  county,  Pa.  His  early  education  was  received  in  the 
public  schools  of  Quakertown,     After  graduating  from  the  High 


386  SOUTHERN    CONFERKNCE. 

School  he  taught  for  several  years,  in  the  meantime  preparing 
himself  for  college.  He  entered  Muhlenberg  College  in  1894, 
and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1898.  In  the  autumn  of 
the  same  year,  he  began  his  theological  course  at  Mt.  Airy  Sem- 
inary, which  he  finished  in  May,  1901.  Less  than  a  month 
later,  June  3rd,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 
vania During  the  years  spent  at  the  seminary  he  did  mission 
work  in  Philadelphia,  and  after  his  ordination  he  supplied  sev- 
eral congregations  in  the  Mini.sterium  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
the  Pittsburg  Synod.  In  December,  1901,  he  became  pastor  of 
the  newh'  organized  mission  at  Vandergrift  Heights,  West- 
moreland County,  Pa.,  where  he  has  organized  a  Sunday  School 
of  50  members,  and  is  now  making  an  effort  to  secure  a  site 
and  build  a  church. 

Rev.Chas.  H.  Hemsath  (1878),  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
(Washburn)  Hemsath, was  born  at  White  Haven,  Luzerne  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  March  31,  1852.  He  received  his  preparatory  training  in 
the  public  schools  of  Eckley  and  Zehrie,  Pa.,  and  in  the  Academ- 
ic Department  of  Muhlenberg  College,  Allentown,  Pa.  He  enter- 
ed the  Collegiate  Department,  September,  1871,  and  graduated  in 
1875  with  third  honor.  He  studied  theology  in  the  Theological 
Seminary,  Philadelphia,  and  graduated  in  1878.  On  June  19, 
1878.  he  was  ordained  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  in  the  Luther- 
an church  by  the  Ministerium  of  Penns34vania.  During  his  senior 
year  at  the  seminary,  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  to  Grace 
Lutheran  church,  Rochester,  Pa.,  and  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  the  pastorate  on  July  ist,  1878.  He  remained  in  this  place 
until  December  i,  188^  Since  then  he  has  been  pastor  of  the 
following  parishes  :  the  old  Brush  Creek  charge,  near  Adams- 
burg,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  December  i,  1883,  to  July  r, 
1886;  Grace  church,  Bethlehem,  Pa. ,  August  i,  1886,  to  Jan- 
uary I,  1 89 1  ;  Roseville  charge,  Ohio,  from  January  i,  1 891,  to 
April  I,  1894,  when  he  rec'?ived  a  call  to  the  Conyngham  parish, 
Luzerne  county,  Pa.  He  was  pastor  here  from  April  i,  1894  to 
loMayi,  1900.  He  has  I)een  pastor  of  the  First  Lutheran 
church,  Washington,  Pa.,    since  May  i,  1900.     On  February  8, 


REVS.    S.    K.    HKRBSTER — C.    L.    HOLIvOWAY.  387 

1883,    he  was  married  to  Ada  Elizabeth    Leniback   of    Salem, 
North  Carolina. 

Rev.  Samuel  K.  Herbster,  (1878),  son  of  the  late  Benja- 
min and  1,3'dia  Herbster,  was  born  on  March  28th,  1851,  in  Berks 
county.  Pa.  His  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  until  his  father's  death 
in  1866,  his  mother  having  died  two  years  previous.  For  several 
years  he  worked  at  the  carpenter  trade,  but  was  ambitious  to  get 
an  education  that  would  enable  him  to  enter  the  ministry.  With 
this  end  in  view,  he  entered  the  Preparatory  Department  of 
Muhlenberg  College  in  1870.  He  remained  as  a  student  in  the 
school  for  three  years,  then  he  was  compelled  to  discontinue  his 
work  for  a  time,  owing  to  the  lack  of  means  of  support.  Through 
the  kindness  of  Dr.  Notz,  he  was  enabled  to  resume  his  studies 
at  the  North  Western  University.  Watertown,  Wis.,  where  Dr. 
Notz  is  still  a  professor.  At  the  end  of  the  scholastic  year  he 
returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  worked  during  the  vacation,  and  in 
the  fall  of  the  same  year  entered  Capital  University  at  Columbus. 
He  took  his  theological  course  at  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  on  the  i8th  of  June, 
1878,  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  Immediately  after  his  ordination, 
he  became  pastor  of  the  Tuscarawas,  O,,  parish,  and  served  it 
until  1882,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  West  Newton  parish. 
After  ministering  to  these  people  for  nine  years,  he  received  a 
call  from  the  Irwin  parish,  which  includes  Manor,  where  he  has 
been  the  successful  pastor  since  1891. 

Rev.  Herbster  is  earnest  and  untiring  in  his  ministry. 
He  has  heavy  work  on  hand  now,  as  he  is  building  a  church  in 
each  of  his  congregations. 

Rev.  Clayton  L,.  Hollo  way,  (18S4),  son  of  Jacob  and 
Mary  A.  Holloway,  was  born  September  6,  1853,  at  Athol,  Berks 
county,  Pa.  He  prepared  for  college  in  the  Academic  Depart- 
ment of  Muhlenberg  College,  entered  the  Freshman  class  in  1877 
and  graduated  in  1881,  with  honorable  mention  of  his  scholar- 
ship. He  pursued  his  theological  course  in  the  Seminary  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  finished  it  in  1884,  was   ordained   soon   afterwards 


388  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

and  became  pastor  of  a  charge  at  Richmond,  Ind.  In  1888  he 
accepted  a  call  to  Delmont  parish,  where  he  was  pastor  for  three 
years.  In  1898  he  received  a  call  from  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish 
and  served  until  the  autumn  of  1 896..  when  he  became  pastor  of 
Monaca,  Beaver  county,  Pa.  Pie  ministered  to  this  congrega- 
tion till  the  spring  of  1902,  when  his  health  failed  and  he  retired, 
for  the  present,  from  the  active  ministry.  He  is  now  in  Califor- 
nia in  the  hope  of  regaining  his  health.  He  married  Miss  Annie 
Fenstermacher,  of  Allentown,    Pa. ,  January  27,  1884. 

Rev.  Jeremiah  H.  Kline,  (1879),  was  born  January  10, 
1850,  in  Montgomery  county.  Pa.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm 
and  received  his  elementary  education  in  the  schools  of  his  town- 
ship. When  he  was  eighteen  years  old  he  began  to  teach,  and 
continued  to  teach  one  school  term  each  year  during  all  the  time 
that  he  pursued  his  preparatory  studies.  In  1871,  he  entered 
the  Senior  Academic  class  in  Muhlenberg  College,  and  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  1876.  The  same  year  he  began  his 
theological  course  in  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  and  finished  it 
in  1879.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsljurg  Sjnod  that  convened 
at  Fairview,  O.,  in  August,  1879,  he  was  examined,  and  was 
ordained  soon  afterwards.  He  received  a  call  from  Parker 
and  St.  Petersburg,  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  which  he  accepted 
and  served  till  November,  1880,  when  he  resigned  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  Emricksville,  Reynoldsville  and  DuBois.  He 
was  pastor  of  this  field  for  four  years ;  he  organized  two  congre- 
gations and  built  two  churches,  but  was  compelled  to  resign  on 
account  of  failing  health,  and  seek  rest.  He  went  to  Germany, 
where  he  spent  a  year.  He  was  treated  in  the  hospital  at  Biele- 
feld, and  his  health  was  restored.  In  1887  he  returned,  and  in 
T890  he  resumed  work  in  the  bounds  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and 
in  the  follownig  years  did  effective  work  in  Scottdale.  Pa.,  where 
he  organized  a  congregation  and  built  a  church,  but  he  was  again 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  accepted  a  ca'l 
to  the  Donegal  parish  in  the  hope  that  a  change  might  relieve 
him,  but  after  one  year  he  had  to  retire  from  the  active  ministry. 
He  is  row  in  the  Passavant  Memorial  hospital  for  epileptics. 


^EVS.    F,    W.    KOHLER — J.    C.    KUNZMAN.  389 

Rev.  Frederick  W,  Kohler,  (888r),  the  youngest  son  of 
the  late  Rev.  John  Kohler,  D.  D.,  was  born  on  the  8th.  of  Sep- 
tember, 1856,  in  New  Holland,  I^ancaster  county,  Pa.,  where 
he  was  brought  up.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  at  Washington  Hall  academy,  Trappe,  Pa. 
He  entered  Muhlenberg  college  in  1874  and  graduated  in  1878, 
completing  his  studies  at  the  Seminary  in  Philadelphia  in  18S1, 
and  was  ordained  the  same  year  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Immediately  after  his  ordination,  he  took  charge  of  the 
Lutheran  church  at  Franklin,  Pa.  In  1884  he  received  an  urgent 
call  from  Trinity  church,  Irwin,  Pa.,  and  it  was  with  reluctance 
that  the  Franklin  people  gave  him  up.  He  had  been  pastor  at 
Irwin  for  only  two  years  when  he  removed  to  Bridgewater,  Nova 
Scotia,  In  1890  he  took  charge  of  the  Beaver  Falls  mission, 
and,  later,  the  New  Brighton  mission,  where  he  built  a  comforta- 
ble church,  and  greatly  increased  the  congregation. 

Rev.  Kohler  served  for  several  years  as  the  Missionary  Super- 
intendent of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  in  connection  with  his  parish 
work,  and  is  now  the  Financial  Secretary  of  the  Chicago  Seminary. 

Rev.  Jacob  C.  Kunzman,  D.  D.,  (1878),  was  born  in  the 
Grand  Duchy,  Baden,  Germany,  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber. 1852.  In  1 860  his  parents  emigrated  to  America  and 
settled  in  Pittsburg.  He  received  his  early  training  in  the  paro- 
chial and  public  schools  of  that  city ;  pursued  his  collegiate 
course  in  Thiel  College,  and  studied  theology  in  the  Philadelphia 
Seminary,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1878.  Soon  after  grad- 
uation, he  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod  and  accepted  a 
call  to  St.  John's  church,  Kittanning,  Pa.,  of  which  he  was 
pastor  till  the  autumn  of  1881.  In  December  of  the  same  year 
he  received  a  call  from  the  First  church,  Greensburg,  Pa.,  and 
was  installed  in  Janui.ry,  1882.  He  ministered  to  this  congrega- 
tion for  nine  years.  He  gathered  the  people  together  and  built 
a  fine  church,  as  was  stated  in  the  history  of  the  congregation. 
During  these  years  he  also  served  Old  Zion's  at  Harrold's,  and 
built  a  church  for  that  congregation.  In  1891  he  resigned  the 
Greensburg  parish  to   accept  a   call  from  Grace  church,  South 


390  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCK. 

Side,  Pittsburg.  Here  he  remained  eight  years,  and,  during  his 
pastorate,  a  new  church  was  built.  In  1899  he  resigned  Grace 
church  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Superintendent  of  Home 
Missions  in  the  General  Council,  which  position  he  still  holds. 
Rev.  Kunzman  is  a  vigorous  thinker,  and  an  eloquent 
preacher.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  Bethany  College,  Kansas,  and  he  has  been  elected  to  sev- 
eral positions  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  Synod.  He  is  a  trustee 
of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Thiel  College,  and  of  the  Greens- 
burg  Seminary.     He  married  Miss  Anna  Mattay,  of    Greenville. 

Rev.  Emil  G.  Lund,  D.  D.,  (1881),  was  born  on  the  loth 
of  August,  1852,  at  Arendal,  Norway.  In  the  following  year 
the  family  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Springfield,  111.  Thev 
removed  to  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  in  1856  but  returned  to  Springfield 
in  1862.  The  son,  Emil,  received  his  preparatory  training  in 
Springfield.  In  Januarj',  1874,  he  entered  the  Freshman  class 
of  Thiel  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1877.  The  same  3'ear 
he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Philadelphia,  where  he 
finished  the  course  in  1881,  meantime  spending  one  year  as  prin- 
cipal of  the  Soldiers'  Orphan  School  at  Jumonville,  Pa.  In 
June,  1881,  he  was  ordained,  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  the  Irwin  and  Adamsburg  parish,  where  he 
labored  for  two  years.  In  1883  he  resigned  this  parish  to  take 
charge  of  the  church  of  the  Ascension,  Milwaukee,  Wis.  He 
served  this  parish  until  1885,  when  he  went  to  Greensburg,  Pa., 
in  response  to  a  unanimous  call  from  Zion's  Lutheran  church  at 
that  place,  and  served  this  congregation  very  acceptably  for  six 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  to  the  sincere  regret  of  his  par- 
ishioners, he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Mission  Board  of 
the  General  Council  to  establish  an  English  Lutheran  mission  at 
Tacoma,  Wa.sh.  In  the  same  year  he  became  English  Professor 
of  Theology  in  the  United  Church  Seminary,  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
which  position  he  holds  at  the  present  time.  In  1899  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Wittenberg 
College.  Dr.  Lund  is  a  man  of  fine  natural  abilities,  a  scholar 
and  theologian,    a  fluent  speaker,  a  popular  preacher  and  a  sue- 


REVS.  E.  G.   LUND — H.   L,.   m'MURRY — G.   W.   MECHLING.        39 1 

cessful  teacher.  He  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Miss  Geissenhainer,  of  Pittsburg,  to  whom  he  was  married  soon 
after  his  ordination.  She  lived  only  about  a  year.  In  1892  he 
married  Miss  Annie  Hippee,  of  Greenville,  Pa.,  who  died  in  1900. 

Rev.  H.  L.  McMup.ry  (1876),  was  born  on  the  i8th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1850,  near  Boquet,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.  His  eaily 
education  was  gained  in  the  public  schools.  He  attended  the 
Dehnont  Academy  for  several  years,  and  spent  one  year  at 
Thiel  college.  After  leaving  Thiel,  he  studied  privately  until 
he  entered  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  in  1873.  He  graduated 
from  this  institution  in  1876,  aid  the  same  year  was  licensed  by 
the  District  Syod  of  Ohio.  His  first  call  was  from  the  Ligonier 
parish,  of  which  he  became  pastor  in  March,  1877.  During  his 
pastorate,  the  churches  at  Ligonier  and  Latrobe  were  remodeled, 
and  the  debt  resting  on  the  Youngstown  church  was  liquidated. 
In  1882,  he  resigned  to  accept  a  call  to  the  Lewisburg  and  Ithica 
congregations  in  Ohio,  where  he  spent  eight  years.  Two  new 
churches  bore  evidence  of  his  labor  in  this  field.  In  1890  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  the  Home  Mission  Board  of  the  General  Coun- 
cil to  organize  a  Mission  in  Duluth,  Minn.  Here  he  gathered  a 
congregation  and  a  Sunday  School  and  built  a  neat  church. 
Those  who  have  done  mission  work  on  the  frontier  know  what 
this  means.  To  start  an  English  congregation  in  a  town  where 
the  foreign  element  predominaces  is  no  sinecure. 

Rev.  McMurry  severed  his  connection  with  the  Duluth  Mis- 
sion in  1894,  and  took  chargeof  St.  John's  church,  McKeesport, 
Pa. ,  where  he  remained  about  two  years.  In  1896  he  was  called 
to  Humboldt  Park,  Chicago.  Two  years  later  he  was  recalled  to 
the  Ligonier  parish.  Since  his  return  to  Ligonier  in  the  autumn 
of  1898,  the  new  church  has  been  finished  and  dedicated,  and  the 
congregation  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  He  is  a  most  courte- 
ous and  popular  minister,  and  is  highly  esteemed  for  his  cordial 
and  kindly  bearing  towards  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 

Rev.  G.  \V.  Mechling,  D.  D.,  (1859),  the  son  of  the  late 
Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  was  born  near  Greensburg,  Pa.,   on  the 


392  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

15th  of  July,  /836.  His  early  training  was  gained  in  the  home 
and  in  the  township  schools.  Later  he  prepared  for  college  in 
the  Greensburg  Academy.  About  the  year  1853  he  entered 
Capital  University,  Columbus,  O. ,  where  he  graduated  in  1857. 
He  finished  his  theological  course  at  the  Seminary  in  1859,  and 
was  ordained  during  the  same  year,  by  the  Eastern  District  Synod 
of  Ohio.  Immediately  after  his  ordination  he  received  a  call 
from  the  Ligonier  parish,  and,  about  the  same  time,  became  as- 
sistant to  his  father  in  his  large  field.  He  fulfilled  the  duties  of 
this  position  til  1865,  when  he  was  called  to  St.  Peter's  church, 
Lancaster,  O.  He  at  first  declined  this  call,  but  when  it  was 
renewed,  with  urgency,  he  accepted  it. 

St.  Peter's,  which  was  established  b}*  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck, 
is  one  of  the  oldest  congregations  in  that  part  of  Ohio.  Rev. 
Mechling  has  been  its  pastor  for  37  years.  It  has  grown  from  a 
nominal  membership  of  200,  to  a  membership  of  over  800  com- 
municants. The  congregation  owns  a  good  parsonage  and  a 
magnificent  church.  Dr.  Mechling  has  introduced  the  full  service 
and  the  clerical  robe,  and  is  churchly  in  all  his  ministerial  work. 
The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  in 
T900,  and  his  ability  and  attainments  have  been  recognized  by 
the  church  in  the  places  of  trust  and  responsibility  he  has  been 
called  to  fill.  He  has  been  a  leader  in  the  synod  of  which  he  is 
a  member,  and  was  one  of  the  foundeis  of  the  General  Council. 

Rev.  Mechling  was  married  in  the  autumn  of  1859  to  Miss 
Amanda  Trimble,  of  Columbus.  O.  Five  children  were  born  to 
them,  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 

Rev.  W.  J.  Miller  (1880),  son  of  Rev.  Geo.  F.  and  Emma 
Helena  Miller,  was  born  at  Pott.stown,  Pa.  He  received  his  pre- 
paratory training  in  the  Kill  School  of  his  native  place,  of  which 
his  father  was  president,  and  in  the  Academic  Department  of 
Muhlenberg  College.  He  entered  Muhlenberg  College  in  the  fall 
of  1873,  and  graduated  in  1877.  He  studied  theology  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Philadelphia,  graduating  in  1880,  and 
was  ordained  the  same  3'ear  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylrania. 
During   this  summer  he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  Trinity  Church, 


REVS.   \V.  J.   MILLER — \V.  A.  C.  MUELLER.  393 

Alliance,  O.  In  the  fall  he  became  pastor  of  the  Unionville 
charge,  Ontario,  Can.  In  18&3  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  First 
church,  Leechburg,  Pa  ,  which  he  served  for  11  years.  In  1886 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Hva  Townsend,  of  Leechburg,  Pa.  Two 
children  have  blessed  the  union.  In  1894  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  church  of  the  Reformation,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  en- 
tered upon  his  pastorate  in  Jul)'.  He  remained  here  seven  years. 
The  congregation  built  a  new  church  valued  at  $50,000 ;  and, 
during  this  time,  he  was  president  of  the  English  Conference  of 
the  New  York  Ministerium,  which  has  since  become  a  synod_ 
The  climate  of  Rochester  proving  too  severe  for  his  family  he 
accepted  a  call  to  Zion's  church,  Greensburg,  Pa.,  and  entered 
upon  his  duties  in  this  parish  in  July,  1901.  He  has  been  in  the 
ministr)^  22  years,  and  has  been  a  successful  pastor  in  the  several 
parishes  which  he  has  served.  He  has  an  active  mind  and  excel- 
lent discriptive  powers  ;  is  an  eloquent  speaker,  and  popular 
preacher,  and  a  most  genial  and  companionable  man.  He  is  at 
present  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Thiel  College  and 
of  the  Greensburg  Seminary. 

Rev.  William  A.  C.  Mueller,  (1877),  son  the  late  Rev. 
Louis  Mueller,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  he 
spent  his  youth  and  received  his  elementary  education.  He  took 
his  collegiate  course  at  Zweibrucken,  Bavaria,  and  his  theological 
course  at  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  Philadelphia.  He  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod  in  June,  1877,  and  soon 
afterwards  accepted  a  call  from  the  Crooked  Creek  parish,  and 
was  pastor  of  it  until  September  1881,  when  he  was  called  to 
Connellsville,  Pa.  He  had  charge  of  this  parish  until  1884, 
when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Kutztown, 
Pa.,  here  he  remained  eight  years,  severing  his  connection  with 
the  parish  in  1892  in  order  to  become  assistant  to  his  father  in  St. 
Mathew's  church,  Charleston.  On  the  death  of  his  father,  he 
became  pastor  of  St  ^lathew's,  which  he  is  still  serving. 

Rev.  Mueller  is  a  popular  man  and  a  very  acceptable  preach- 
er. He  can  speak  German  and  English  equally  well,  and  his 
congregation  is  prospering  under  his  ministry. 


394  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

Rev.  John  W.  Myers  (1S72),  was  born  on  the  14th  of  No- 
vember, 1845,  near  Greensburg,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  and 
received  his  elementary  education  in  the  home  and  local  schools. 
In  1865  he  attended  the  Leechburg  Academy,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years,  when  he  went  to  Thiel  Hall  and  continued  his 
studies  till  1870.  In  the  same  year  he  entered  the  Philadelphia 
Seminary,  and  completed  his  course  in  1872,  and  was  ordained  in 
August  of  that  3^ear.  He  immediately  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Stone  Creek  parish,  where  he  had  preached  as  a  student.  After 
leaving  this  parish  he  served  the  following  churches  :  Bethlehem, 
Washington  county  ;  Delmont  and  Manor,  Westmoreland  county; 
Grace  church,  Rochester,  Pa.;  Toledo,  O. ;  Homestead,  Pa.; 
Jeannette.  Pa.,  and  Mahone  Bay,  Nova  Scotia.  When  at  Del- 
mont he  built  the  parsonage  and  a  church,  as  noted  in  the  his- 
tory. Whilst  at  Rochester  he  organized  a  congregation  at  Beaver 
Falls  and  built  a  church  for  it.  He  also  organized  a  congrega- 
ticn  at  New  Brighton,  Pa.  At  Rochester  he  doubled  the  mem- 
bership and  otherwise' strengthened  the  congregation.  The  same 
is  true  of  Mahone  Ba}',  Nova  Scotia.  He  is  now  a  resident  of 
Greenville,  and  has  charge  of  a  mission  in  South  Sharon,   Pa. 

Rev.  Myers  is  a  sincere,  godly  man,  an  earnest  preacher  and 
a  devout  pastor.  He  was  married,  June  i,  1876,  to  Miss  Adelia 
M.  Poorbaugh,  of  Berlin,  Pa. 

Rev,  D.  W.  Michael  (18S6),  was  born  December  18, 
1857,  at  Mill  Point,  N.  C,  and  lived  on  a  farm  until  ne  was  16 
years  old.  He  prepared  for  college  chiefly  by  private  study  and 
entered  Trinity  College  N.  C. ,  in  1875  where  he  graduated  in 
1877.  He  studied  theology  privately  whilst  engaged  in  teaching 
He  was  ordained  to  the  ministr}-  in  July,  1886,  by  the  N.  C. 
Synod,  and  served  two  parishes  in  North  Carolina.  In  1897,  he 
was  called  to  Donegal  parish.  Pa.,  where  he  ministered  for  three 
years.  On  November  i,  1900,  he  received  a  call  from  the  Mission 
Board  of  the  of  the  General  Council  to  Duluth,  Minn,  which  he 
accepted  in  March,  1902,  and  is  now  pastor  at  that  place. 

Rev.  Michael  has  been  in  the  ministry  for  16  j^ears. 
He  is  an  acceptable  preacher,  a  popular  pastor,  and  a  diligent 


REVS.    L.    O.    PEARCH — F.  W.    E.    PESCHAU.  395 

worker  in  the  Master's  vineyard.     He  has  been  twice  married,  and 
has  three  children. 

Rev.  Loran  O.  Pearch  (1898),  son  of  Melanchthon  and 
Eliza  Pearch.  was  born  on  the  19th  of  September,  1871,  at  Slier- 
odsville  O.,  where  he  was  brought  up  and  attended  the  village 
school.  He  was  baptized  in  infancy  and  confirmed  at  the  age  of 
15,  and  began,  when  quite  young,  to  pursue  his  studies  with  a 
view  to  entering  the  ministry.  He  studied  privately  for  a  year 
with  Rev.  John  Shunk,  and  in  January,  1891,  became  a  member 
of  the  Senior  Academic  class  in  Thiel  College.  From  this  insti- 
tution he  graduated  in  1895,  continued  his  studies  at  the  Chicago 
Seminary,  and  finished  the  course  in  1898.  On  April  29,  1898,  he 
was  ordained  by  the  Chicago  Synod,  and  in  June,  following,  he 
accepted  a  call  from  St.  Solomon's  church,  Corydon,  Ind.  After 
three  years  of  faithful  service  in  this  parish,  he  received  a  call  from 
St.  John's  church,  Boquet,  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.,  and  be- 
came pastor  July  25,  1901. 

Rev.  Peach  has  made  a  good  beginning  in  his  new  field,  and 
seems  to  possess  the  gifts  and  culture  that  will  fit  him  for  great 
usefulness  in  the  ministry. 

Rev.  F.  W.  E.  Peschau,  D.  D.,  (1876),  the  only  son  of  the 
late  Henry  and  Margaret  Wilhelmina  Peschau,  was  born  on  the 
17th  of  February,  1849,  in  Clausthal,  situated  on  the  Hartz  moun- 
tains, in  the  kingdom  of  Hanover,  Germany.  In  1855  the  family 
came  to  the  United  States,  and  after  a  brief  residence  in  Balti- 
more, they  took  up  their  abode  in  Wheeling,  W.  Va.  The  son 
attended  the  parochial  school  for  some  time.  L,ater  he  attended 
the  city  schools,  and  in  1867,  entered  Pennsylvania  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1872.  He  spent  one  year  in  the  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  at  Gettysburg.  In  1873  he  was  elected  to  the 
principalship  of  the  High  School  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  for  three  years.  In  1876  he  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry  and  accepted  a  call  to  Nebraska  City,  Neb.  Here  he  was 
pastor  for  two  years.  Since  then  he  has  been  pastor,  successively, 
at  the  following  places:  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Wilmington,  N.  C; 


396  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Greensburg,  Pa.  and  Maitnisburg,  O. ,  since  March,  1900.  While 
pastor  at  Nebraska  City,  he  was  also  superintendent  of  the  city 
schools.  At  Nashville  he  was  professor  of  German  in  Vanderbilt 
University;  at  Wilmington,  he  did  extra  work  in  ministering  to 
the  Scandinavian  seamen.  He  has  been  elected  to  offices  of 
honor  and  trust  in  the  synod  to  which  he  belonged,  and  in  i8yi, 
North  Carolina  College  at  Mount  Pleasant,  N.  C,  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of   Doctor  of  Divinty. 

Dr.  Preschau  has  an  active  mind,  is  a  fluent  speaker  and 
acceptable  pulpit  orator,  and  preaches  equally  well  in  German  and 
English.  He  has  deivered  a  number  of  popular  lectures,  and  has 
made  contributions  to  the  religious  press  both  in  German  and 
English.  He  was  married,  June  3,  1873,  to  Miss  Clara  J., 
daughter  of  A.  K.  Myers,  of  York  Springs,  Pa.  They  have  six 
children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters. 

Rev.  Asher  p.  Pflueger  (1876),  was  born  April  i,  1850, 
in  East  Allen  township,  Northampton  county,  Pa.  He  taught 
in  the  county  schools  and  prepared  for  college  by  private  study 
and  in  the  Quakertown  academy  entered  Muhlenberg  College 
in  1869,  and  graduated  with  second  honor  in  1873.  In  the  au- 
tumn of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Philadelphia,  finished  the  course  in  1876,  and  was  ordained  by 
the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.  He  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Turbottville,  Pa.,  parish,  which  he  served  until  1891,  when  he  be- 
came pastor  of  West  Newton,  and  remained  till  January  i,  1892. 
Later  he  accepted  a  call  to  Ringtown  parish,  where  he  is  at  the 
present  time. 

Rev.  Pfleuger  has  been  26  years  in  the  ministry.  While 
pastor  at  Turbottville  he  served  both  as  secretary  and  president 
of  the  Danville  Conference.  He  is  a  plain,  practical  preacher  ; 
a  persevering  and  diligent  worker,  and  a  kind  and  sympathetic 
pastor.     He  married  Miss  Valeria  Elizabeth  Appel. 

Rev.  Alpheus  D.  Potts,  Ph.  D.,  F.  S.  Sc,  (1875),  son 
of  the  late  Daniel  and  Rosanna  Potts,  w^as  born  on  the  31st  of 
October,  1849,  in  Delmont,  Pa,,  where  he  was  reared  and  received 


REVS.   A.  D.  POTTS — E.  L.    REED.  397 

his  preparatory  education.  He  took  his  collegiate  course  at 
JIuhlenberg  College,  from  which  he  graduated  as  an  honor  man 
and  valedictorian  in  the  class  of  1872.  In  the  autumn  of  the 
same  year  he  entered  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  where  he  took 
a  full  course,  graduating  in  1875.  In  March  of  that  year  he  was 
ordained  and  received  a  call  from  the  Ligonier  parish,  which  he 
served  for  ten  months  and  then  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health. 
In  T879  he  accepted  a  call  from  Emanuel's  church,  Franklin 
township,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  to  which  he  ministered 
till  1883,  when  he  was  called  to  St.  Paul's,  near  Pleasant  Unity. 
Here  he  labored  for  13  years,  resigning  in  1896,  much  to  the  re- 
gret of  many  of  the  members,  and  became  pastor  of  the  First 
Lutheran  church  of  Youngstown,  O.,  where  he  served  until  his 
health  failed  in  1898.  In  1899,  after  his  health  was  restored,  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  Petersburg  parish,  in  Huntingdon  county, 
Pa.,  in  the  General  Synod,  of  which  he  is  still  the  pastor. 

Dr.  Potts  is  a  classical  as  well  as  scientific  scholar,  a  vig- 
orous writer,  a  fluent  preacher,  and  a  popular  platform  speaker. 
In  1888  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Societ}'^  of  Science, 
Letters  and  Art,  of  London,  for  an  article  written  on  Evolution, 
Growth  and  Development.  In  1895  the  degree  of  Ph.  D.  was 
conferred  upon  him.    He  has  written  many  articles  for  the  press. 

PvEV.  E.  L.  Reed  (1868),  son  of  John  G.  and  Mary  Reed, 
was  born  at  Stouchsburg,  Berks  county,  Pa.,  November  7,  1842. 
He  was  educated  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. ,  Franklin  and  ^Marshall  Col- 
lege, Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  at  the  Philadelphia  Theological  Semi- 
nary, from  which  he  graduated  in  1868.  The  same  year  he  was 
ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsjdvania.  He  served  the 
following  parishes,  viz  :  North  Wales, . Montgomery  county,  Pa., 
1S68-1873;  Christ  Church,  Trenton,  N.  J.,  1873-1875  ;  Selin's 
Grove,  Pa.,  1875-1879;  Millersville,  Pa.,  1879-1880;  assist- 
ant pastor  to  Rev.  E.  Greenwald,  D.  D. ,  in  Trinity  church,  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  1880-1881;  Christ  church,  of  the  same  place,  where 
he  labored  for  a  period  of  more  than  12  years ;  St.  John's,  Cata- 
wissa,  Pa.,  1892-1897.  In  November,  1897,  he  was  called  to 
Christ  Church,  West  Newton,  Pa.     The  congregation  had  been 


398  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

greatly  discouraged,  and  the  nature  of  their  church  surroundings 
was  not  ver}'  hopeful ;  but  the  coming  of  the  new  pastor  revived 
the  interest  of  the  members,  and  on  Januarj'  15,  1899,  the}'  re- 
solved to  build  a  new  house  of  worship.  The  work  was  prayer- 
fully undertaken  and  courageously  carried  through. 

Pastor  Reed  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
Philadelphia  Theological  Seminary,  two  terms  ;  is  a  member  of 
the  Examining  Committee  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  married 
Annie  Linley.  of  Norristown,  Pa.,  August  20,   1868. 

Rev.  Robert  G.  Rosenbaum,  (1884),  was  born  near  Mar- 
ion, Smythe  county,  Virginia,  and  was  brought  up  on  a  farm. 
After  the  Civil  War,  his  parents  lost  their  property',  and  the 
family  suffered  many  hardships  incident  to  poverty.  Rev. 
Rosenbaum  was  religiously  trained  from  his  j-outh.  He  attended 
the  parochial  school,  of  which  his  pastor  was  the  teacher.  He 
took  his  academic  course  in  the  INlarion  Female  Seminary  and 
spent  three  years  in  the  Academy  of  Wythe  county,  Va.  In  the 
fall  of  1880,  he  entered  the  Junior  class  of  Roanoke  College,  and 
graduated  in  1882.  He  took  his  theological  course  in  the 
Southern  Theological  Seminar3%  finishing  it  in  1884,  and  was  or 
dained  on  August  4th  of  that  year.  Soon  afterwards,  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  Brandy  wine  parish  in  the  bounds  of  the  Virginia 
Synod.  In  1885  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Donegal  parish  and 
thus  became  a  member  of  the  Pittsburg  S}'nod.  He  served  Don- 
egal for  three  years.  In  1888,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Crooked 
Creek  parish  where  he  ministered  very  acceptably,  and  was  high- 
ly esteemed;  but  in  ^892,  he  became  pastor  at  DuBois,  Jefferson 
county.  Pa.  Here  he  remained  until  1897,  when  he  accepted  a 
call  to  Delmont  parish,  Westmoreland  county.  Since  April  i, 
1902  he  has  been  pastor  at  Monaca,  Beaver  county. 

Rev.  Rosenbaum  is  a  sincere,  earnest  man,  a  cDnscientious 
and  devoted  minister,  and  a  good  pastor.  He  is  untiring  in  his 
efforts,  and  wins  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  whom 
he  serves.  He  married  soon  after  his  ordination  and  has  five 
children. 


REVS.  JOHN  D.  ROTH — GEO.  G,  RUFF.  399 

Rev.  John  David  Roth,  (1870),  was  born  near  Prospect, 
Butler  county,  Pa.,  and  received  his  early  training  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  public  school.  Later  he  attended  schools  of  a  higher 
grade  conducted  in  the  county  for  the  benefit  of  teachers  and 
those  preparing  to  teach.  He  taught  for  several  years  and  then 
attended  the  academy  at  Zelienople,  Pa.  conducted  by  Prof.  J. 
R.  Titzel.  Meanwhile  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  E.  Fletcher 
and  supported  himself  and  his  wife  by  teaching.  In  1867,  he 
entered  the  Philadelphia  Seminary,  where  he  took  a  full  course 
and  graduated  in  May  1870.  He  was  ordained  soon  afterwards, 
and  accepted  a  call  trom  the  Williamsburg  parish,  Canada,  which 
he  served  for  four  years.  In  1874,  he  removed  to  the  Bethlehem 
parish  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  to  which  he  ministered  until 
1879  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Delmont  and  Manor  parish. 
He  served  these  churches  quite  successfully,  but  in  1882,  he 
received  a  call  from  a  mission  at  Sidney,  Neb.,  which  he  accept- 
ed. Having  found  the  work  at  this  place  quite  difficult  with 
inadequate  support,  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  began  work  at 
Decatur,  where  he  organized  a  congregation  and  built  a  church. 
During  the  years  1883  to  1897,  he  was  chaplain  of  the  Illinois 
State  Penitentiary  at  Joliet.  He  now  resides  at  Decatur,  and  is 
engaged  in  general  church  work. 

Rev.  Roth  is  a  very  modest  and  unassuming  man.  but  he  is 
well  informed.  He  speak  and  writes  as  a  man  who  has  com- 
mand of  his  faculties,  and  knows  whereof  he  affirms.  For  several 
years  he  was  editor  of  OurChurch  Work,  and  when  that  paper  was 
merged  into  the  Young  lyUtheran,  he  became  its  associate  editor. 
His  publications  are,  The  Handbook  of  Lutheranism,  and  several 
smaller  works.  He  is  a  regular  correspondent  of  the  L,utheran, 
to  the  columns  of  which  he  has  contributed  many  valuable 
articles. 

Rev.  George  Grant  Ruff  (1892),  son  of  Samuel  and 
Sybilla  (Rugh)  Ruff,  was  born  September  16,  1862,  near  Han- 
nastown,  Westmoreland  county.  Pa.  He  was  baptized  and  con- 
firmed in  Zion's  church,  Greensburg.  The  desire  to  be  a  minis- 
ter was  in  his  heart  when  he  was  quite  young,  and,  having  heard 


400  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

a  sermon  in  which  his  pastor  made  an  earnest  appeal  to  young 
men  to  devote  themselves  to  the  ministry,  George  decided  the 
question  at  once,  saying,  "Here  am  I,  send  me."  After  leaving 
the  public  schools,  he  attended  the  Greensburg  Seminary  and 
prepared  to  teach.  He  taught  one  3'ear  during  which  he  began 
the  study  of  Latin  and  other  branches,  reciting  to  his  pa.st.or. 
He  continued  his  studies  at  the  Greensburg  Seminary  until  1885, 
when  he  entered  Thiel  College,  and  graduated  in  1889.  In  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  he  went  to  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  where  he 
finished  the  couise  June  8,  1892.  On  June  8th  he  was  ordained: 
and  on  July  ist,  took  charge  of  the  Derry  mission;  and  on  the 
31st  of  the  same  month  was  installed  by  the  missionary  president 
assisted  by  Rev.  W.  F.  Ulery,  and  Rev.  Geo.  E.  Titzel.  He  ser- 
ved this  church  for  seven  years.  On  September  i,  1899,  he 
resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to  St.  Peter's  church  at  North  East, 
Pa. ,  where  he  is  now  the  successful  pastor.  He  has  largely  in- 
creased the  congregation  in  numbers  and  strength  and  has  built 
a  substantial  church. 

Rev.  Ruff  is  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit.  He  is  a  sincere  and 
conscientious  minister,  a  fluent  and  acceptable  preacher,  a  dili- 
gent and  tireless  worker,  he  was  married  in  the  autumn  of  1 892 
to  Miss  Ella  Martha  Elson,  of  Zanesville,  O.  Two  daughters 
have  been  born  to  them,  the  eldest  died  in  childhood. 

R.EV.  John  Charles  Francis  Rupp  (1884),  son  of  John  and 
Susan  (Schreckengast)  Rupp,  was  born  June  23,  1856,  near 
Dayton,  Armstrong  county,  Pa.  He  prepared  for  college  in 
Glade  Run  academ}^  at  Dayton  ;  taught  several  terms  in  the 
public  schools,  and  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Pennsylvania 
College,  September,  1875,  where  he  graduated  with  first  honor 
and  Greek  oration,  in  1878.  In  September,  1880,  he  entered  the 
Philadelphia  Seminary,  but  completed  his  theological  course  in 
the  Gettysburg  Seminary  in  June,  1883.  He  seriously  consid- 
ered the  question  of  going  to  the  Foreign  Mission  field,  but  he 
was  not  physically  qualified  for  his  work,  and  on  account  of  his 
father's  illness  and  failing  sight,  he  spent  the  next  twelve  months 
at  home.     In  July,  1884,  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  Ancient 


REVS.    J.    C.    F.    RUPP — J.    SARVER.  4oi 

Languages  in  North  Carolina  College,  Mt.  Pleasant,  N.  C,  and 
in  August,  before  going  South,  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg 
Synod.  He  remained  in  the  South  until  January,  i886,  he  re- 
signed to  become  assistant  to  Rev.  Dr.  Passavant  and  principal 
of  the  resuscitated  Connoquenessing  academy  at  Zelienople.  In 
fSgo,  he  became  pastor  of  St.  John's  church,  McKeesport,  Pa. 
During  his  pastorate,  a  lot  was  purchased  at  the  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Locust  streets,  a  chapel  erected  and  dedicated,  February  21, 
1892,  one  hundred  persons  received  into  the  membership,  and 
$8,000  raised  for  all  purposes.  In  September,  1894,  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  Scottdale  and  HofEman  parish,  which  he  serv^ed  till 
June  1899,  when  it  was  divided.  Rev.  Rupp  continued  to  be 
p;istor  of  St.  Paul's,  Scottdale.  till  April  15,  1900.  During  May 
and  June  of  that  year  he  assisted  Rev.  Dr.  Schmauk  of  Lebanon, 
Pa.  In  August  he  received  a  call  from  St.  Lawrence  parish,  Mor- 
risburg,  Ontario,  Canada,  of  which  he  is  now  pastor. 

Rev.  Rupp  enjoyed  the  esteem  of  his  brethren  when  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Pittsburg  Snyod,  and  was  appointed  to  several  offices 
of  honor  and  trust.  He  has  written  many  valuable  articles  for 
publication,  among  which  may  be  mentioned:  The  Grounds  of 
Heathen  Salvation;  The  Life  and  Times  of  Cardinal  Ximenes; 
Luther's  Place  in  History;  The  Church  Visible  and  Invisible; 
Charlemagne;  Sermon  Outlines;  The  Thought  and  Place  of  the 
Psalms;  Fundamental  Principles  of  Christian  Worship.  When 
the  General  Council  adopted  the  plan  of  Graded  Lessons  for 
Sunday  Schools,  Rev.  Rupp  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Sunday  School  Work  Committee,  and  is  now  associate  editor. 
He  was  married,  June  15,  1SS6,  to  Miss.  Zelia,  daughter  of  Salem 
and  Esther  (Kuhns)  Hill  of  Schenley,  Pa.     They  have  two  sons. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Sarver,  D.  D.,  (1864),  youngest  son  of 
the  late  John  and  Margaret  (Kepple)  Sarver,  was  born  on  No- 
vember 2,  1837,  in  Hempfield  township,  We.stmoreland  county, 
Pa.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  attended  the  schools  of 
the  community.  He  prepared  for  college  at  Mt.  Pleasant  Insti- 
cute  and  the  Greensburg  Academy.  He  entered  Pen  .isylvania 
College  in  the  spring  of  1859,  and  graduated  in  1862.     He  took 


402  SOUTHHRN    CONFERENCE. 

the  course  in  theology  at  the  Gettysburg  Seminary,  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach  the  gospel  b}-  the  Pittsburg  Synod  in  1864.  In 
the  same  year  he  became  pastor  of  the  Zielienople  parish,  where 
he  labored  for  two  years.  In  1866  he  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Lutheran  church  at  Leechburg,  Pa.,  and  rendered  acceptable  ser- 
vice ;  but  in  iSSj,  when  the  Pittsburg  Synod  withdrew  from  the 
General  Synod,  a  division  occurred  in  the  congregation.  The 
General  Sjaiod  part}',  owi:ig  to  a  technicality  in  the  chatter,  held 
the  church  property,  but  Rev.  Sarver's  congregation  was  incor- 
porated as  the  First  Lutheran  Church  of  Leechburg,  Pa.  A 
church  and  a  parsonage  were  built,  and  the  congregation  pros- 
pered. He  was  pastor  here  for  17  years.  After  leaving  Leech- 
burg he  served  the  follov/ing  parishes  :  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  Hazel- 
ton,  Kan.,  Jewett,  O. ,  Beaver  Falls,  Kmanuel's,  Alleghen}',  Pa., 
and  Seanor's  and  Old  Zion  since  April,  1895.  ^^  1898  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  North  Carolina 
College,  Mt.  Pleasant,  N.  C.,  and  in  the  38  j-ears  of  his  ministry 
he  has  been  recognized  by  the  Synod  by  being  appointed  to  im- 
portant pcsitions. 

Dr.  Sarver  is  an  earnest  pulpit  orator,  a  diligent  worker  and 
a  conscientious  pastor.  On  November  8,  1S84,  he  married  Miss 
Jennie  B.  Welt}-,  of  Hannastown,  Pa.,  who  died  some  years  ago. 
In  1896  he  married  Miss  Driehorst,  of  Washington,  Pa. 

Rev.  John  Amos  Scheffer,  (1875),  Son  of  William  and 
Priscilla  (Kribbs)  Scheffer,  was  born  on  the  17th  of  June,  1846, 
in  Clarion  county,  Pa.  He  was  baptized  in  early  childhood,  and 
was  confirmed  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Fox  in  1863.  He  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  Emlenton  and  Leechburg,  Pa.,  entering  the  Junior  class 
of  Muhleriberg  College  in  1S70,  and  graduated  in  1872.  He  went 
to  the  Philadelphia  Seminar}'  the  same  year,  completed  his  course 
in  1875,  and  was  ordained  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  by  the 
Pittsburg  Synod.  He  immediately  accepted  a  call  to  the  Manor 
and  Hill's  parish,  which  he  .served  until  July  1876,  when  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Mahone  Bay  parish.  Nova  Scotia.  He  labored 
for  a  number  of  years  with  diligence  and  self-denial.  His  labors 
were   eminently  blessed  in   that   he  established  a  self-sustaining 


REVS.  J.  A.  SCHEFFER — G.  S.  SEAMx\X — J.  L.  SMITH.  403 

parish  He  also  held  offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  Nova  vScotia. 
He  was  treasurer  of  the  Nova  Scotia  conference,  and  was  Com- 
missoiner  of  the  public  schools  for  Lunenburg  county. 

In  1885,  he  removed  to  Allentown,  Pa.,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  was  manao^er  of  the  Messenger,  and  has  rend- 
ered valuable  service  to  the  Lutheran  under  its  present  manage- 
ment. Rev.  Scheffer  was  married  to  Miss  Binnie  A.  Seibert  of 
Allentown,  Pa.  on  the  5th  of  June,  1SS3. 

Rev.  Georges.  Seaman,  (1SS2),  was  born  on  May  20th, 
1856,  in  Berks  county.  Pa.,  where  he  was  reared  and  received 
his  preparatory  education  in  the  Hamburg  High  School.  He  en- 
tered Muhlenberg  College  in  1875,  and  graduated  in  1879,  with 
second  honor  and  I^atin  salutatory.  He  took  his  course  in 
theology  at  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  graduating  in  1882.  In  June  of 
this  year,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  received  a  call  from  Elizabethtown,  Pa.  He  was  pastor  of 
the  Lutheran  church  at  this  place  until  1890,  when  he  accepted 
a  call  to  Brush  Creek  and  Adamsburg,  and  became  the  successor 
of  his  lamented  brother,  Rev.  Charles  Seaman  He  served  this 
parish  till  July  1896,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Homestead,  Pa. 
where  he  is  now  pastor. 

Rev.  Seaman  is  a  sincere  and  faithful  minister,  a  practical 
preacher,  and  a  diligent  and  preserving  worker  in  the  Master's 
vineyard.  He  married  Miss  Emily  S.  Roth,  of  Allentown,  soon 
after  his  ordination.     Three  daughters  have  been  born  to  them. 

Rev.  Jacob  Lawson  Smith,  D.  D.,  (1865),  was  born  on 
the  3rd  of  March,  1836,  in  Middletown  Valley,  Maryland,  where 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  trained  to  industry.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  public  schools.  He  became  a  teacher, 
and  during  the  years  he  taught  he  pursued  his  studies.  In  1859 
he  entered  Pennsylvania  College  and  graduated  in  1863  with  the 
honor  of  being  valedictorian  of  his  class.  After  his  graduation 
he  spent  one  year  in  the  seminary  at  Gettysburg,  then  when  the 
Philadelphia  Seminary  opened  he  became  one  of  its  first  students. 
He  completed  his   theological   course  in   1865,  and  was  ordained 


404  SOUTHERN    CONFERENCE. 

the  same  year  by  the  Ministeriuni  of  Pennsylvania.  Soon  after 
his  ordination  he  accepted  a  call  to  Memorial  Church  at  Erie,  Pa., 
where  he  labored  faithfully  for  a  number  of  3'ears  and  estab- 
lished the  church  on  a  sound  Lutheran  basis.  In  1871  he 
became  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Vandalia,  111.,  where 
his  work  was  successful,  but  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health.  After  a  period  of  rest  he  took  charge  of 
the  work  at  Alliance,  O.,  where  he  organized  a  congregation  and 
built  a  handsome  church.  In  1S76  his  pastoral  work  was  inter- 
rupted by  serious  throat  trouble,  but  he  did  general  church  work 
for  several  years.  In  1S82,  his  health  being  restored,  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  Ligonier  parish,  composed  of  Ligonier,  Youngs- 
town,  Latrobe  and  Derry.  In  this  field  he  labored  for  ten  years. 
The  work  done  during  this  pastorate  in  the  building  of  churches 
and  a  parsonage,  and  otherwise  strengthening  the  parish  has 
]:)een  noted  in  the  history  of  the  several  churches.  In  1892.  Rev. 
Smith  resigned  the  Ligonier  parish  and  accepted  a  call  .to  Christ 
church,  East  End,  Pittsburg,  where  he  is  the  present  pastor. 
Rev.  Smith  has  been  37  years  in  the  ministry.  In  June,  1894, 
North  Carolina  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor 
of  Divinity,  and  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month  his  Alma  Mater 
conferred  the  same  honor  upon  him.  Being  made  a  Doctor  twice 
in  one  month  is  an  event  that  does  not  often  occur  to  even  the 
most  fortunate.  Dr.  vSmith  has  also  been  honored  in  other  ways. 
He  has  been  made  a  life  member  of  the  American  Christian 
Union,  also  a  life  member  of  the  American  Tract  Society.  He  is 
an  active  thinker,  an  earnest  worker,  and  a  vigorous  preacher. 
He  was  married,  April  22,  1869, Ho  Lizzie  C.  daughter  of  Rev.  C. 
L.  Watson  of  Loda,  111.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
two  son  and  three  daughters.  The  eldest  daughter  died  several 
years  ago. 

Rev.  Abraham  M.  Strauss  (1S61),  was  born  at  Nocka- 
mixon,  Pa.,  September,  7,  1S34,  and  was  educated  at  the  Classi- 
cal Institute  at  the  Trappe,  and  at  the  Collegiate  Institute,  Allen- 
town.  He  pursued  his  theological  course  at  Selinsgrove.  He 
was  licensed  in  1861,  and  in  1864  ordained  to  the  ministry.     He 


RFVS.  A.   M.  STRAUSS — W.   R.  SWICKARD — S.  STOUFFER.      405 

has  successively  been  pastor  of  the  following  parishes  and  churches: 
Frj^burg,  Clarion  county  ;  Wellsburg  and  Berlin,  Somerset  coun- 
ty ;  Cogan  Station,  Gilberts,  Pa.;  Liberty,  111. ;  Tuscarawas,  O., 
and  Avonmore,  Pa.  He  has  been  41  years  in  the  active  ministry, 
and  continuously  in  active  service  till  January,  1901 ,  and  has  done, 
effective  work.  At  his  last  parish,  Avonmore,  he  did  a  good 
work  in  the  building  of  the  new  church. 

Rev.  Strauss  is  a  sincere  Christian,  and  takes  a  deep  interest 
in  the  work  of  the  church.  He  is  married  and  has  a  family. 
One  of  his  daughters  is  the  wife  of  a  missionary  in  India.  He 
now  lives  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa. 

Rev.  William  R.  Swickard  (1893),  son  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  Swickard,  was  born  June  6,  1862,  near  Osage,  Jefferson 
county,  O. ,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion. In  the  autumn  of  1862  he  entered  Thiel  College,  but  at 
the  end  of  the  year  his  college  course  was  interrupted,  and  he 
taught  for  several  years.  In  1886  he  returned  to  Thiel  and  grad- 
uated with  honor  in  1890.  The  same  year  he  entered  Mt.  Airy 
Seminary.  During  part  of  1891  he  did  missionary  work  in  Can- 
ada ;  returned  to  the  seminary  and  finished  his  course  in  May, 
1893.  In  the  same  month  he  was  ordained  by  the  Pittsburg 
Synod.  He  has  been  pastor  of  the  following  churches  and 
parishes:  Goshen,  Ind. ;  Grace  church,  Franklin,  Pa.,  and  since 
July,  1901,  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  parish,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa. 

Rev.  Swickard  is  an  energetic  man,  a  vigorous  and  original 
thinker,  a  fluent  and  acceptable  preacher,  and  a  diligent  and 
sympathetic  pastor.  He  has  made  an  auspicious  beginning  in  his 
present  field,  and  has  reason  to  hope  for  a  successful  pastorate. 
He  was  married  soon  after  he  took  charge   of  his  first  parish. 

Rev.  Samuel  Stouffer  (1869)  was  born  at  Hollidaysburg, 
Pa.,  where  he  was  also  brought  up  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion. He  entered  the  Preparatory  Department  of  Pennsylvania 
College  in  i860,  and  continued  until  1862.  In  1863  he  entered 
the  Freshman  class  and  continued  his  studies  through  the  Junior 
class.     He  pursued  his  theological  course,  in  a  large  measure, 


406  SOUTHEN   CONFBRENCE. 

privately,  and  was  set  apart  to  the  office  of  the  ministry  in  1869 
Besides  doing  some  missionary  work,  he  has  successive!}'  served 
the  following  parishes  and  churches  :  Jenner  Cross  Roads  parish, 
Somerset  county,  Pa.;  Donegal  parish,  Westmoreland  county. 
Pa.;  Jacob's  Church,  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  till  1901.  He  is  now 
pastor  of  a  church  in  the  Canada  Synod.  He  has  been  twice 
married  and  is  the  father  of  three  children. 

Rev.  Earnest  Axton  Trabert,  (1898),  the  son  of  Rev. 
George  H.  and  Elizabeth  Trabert,  was  born  November,  15,  1872, 
at  Ephrata,  Pa.  When  he  was  1 1  years  old,  his  parents  removed 
to  Minneapolis  Minn  ,  where  his  father  started  the  first  General 
Council  missions  in  the  Northwest.  His  preparatory  education 
was  received  in  the  schools  of  Minneapolis  and  special  prepara- 
tion for  college  was  made  at  the  Minneapolis  academy.  When, 
in  1892,  the  family  removed  to  Warren,  Pa. ,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Thiel  College,  where  he 
continued  during  the  Junior  year,  his  Senior  year  being  spent  at 
Bethany  College,  Kansas,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1895.  lu 
the  autumn  of  1895,  he  entered  the  Chicago  Seminary,  where  he 
spent  three  years.  On  his  graduation  he  was  ordained  by  the 
Synod  of  the  Northwest  and  called  to  a  mission  at  La  Crosse, 
Wis.  Here  he  had  spent  nearly  two  years,  when  an  urgent  call 
came  from  Braddock,  Pa.  On  mature  consideration,  he  accepted 
the  call,  removed  to  Braddock  in  April,  1900,  and  became  a 
missionary  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  made  a  promising  be- 
ginning, but  after  working  for  a  few  months,  in  the  mj-sterious 
providence  of  God,  his  beloved  wife  was  suddenly  taken  away. 
This  bereavment  so  aflfected  him  that  he  resiged  soon  afterwards. 
Later,  in  October,  1901  he  accepted  a  call  to  St  Paul's  church, 
Uniontown,  Pa.,  where  he  is  now  the  successful  pastor. 

Rev.  William  Frederick  Ueery  (1855),  was  born  in 
Westphalia,  Germany.  In  1833  the  family  imigrated  to  the 
United  States  and  settled  in  Ligonier  Valley,  Westmoreland 
county.  Pa.,  where  William  was  reared  en  a  farm.  He  received 
his  preparatory  education  in  Greensburg,  at  the  Connoquenessing 


REVS.    W.    F.    ULERY — M.    VAI^ENTINE.  407 

academy,  Zelienople,  and  at  the  Muhlenberg  Institute,  Greens- 
burg,  Pa.  In  1850  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Pennsyl- 
vania College,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1853,  with 
honor.  He  pursued  his  theological  course  in  the  Gettysburg 
Seminary,  and  was  set  apart  to  the  ministry  in  June,  1855,  by 
the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  has  served  the  following  parishes : 
Greensburg  and  Adamsburg,  Pa. ;  Greenville,  Pa,;  Zion's church, 
Greensburg,  Pa. ;  Fargo,  and  other  points  in  North  Dakota ; 
Emanuel's  church,  Allegheny  City,  Pa.,  and  since  December, 
1899,  Hope  church,  Hoffman's,  near  Smithton,  Pa.  He  has  been 
47  years  in  the  ministry,  37  of  which  were  spent  in  parish  work. 
He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  all  these  years, 
and  has  filled  its  several  oflEices  of  secretary,  president  and  mis- 
sionary president,  and  served  on  all  its  important  boards  and 
committees.  He  has  taught  nearly  twelve  j^ears  since  his  ordina- 
tion in  High  school,  private  schools,  and  over  four  years  in  Thiel 
College.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Annette  Luyties,  on  the  22nd 
of  June,  1859.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  them — two 
sons  and  one  daughter. 

Rev,  Milton  Valentine,  D.  D,,  LL,  D.,  (1852),  was 
born  near  Uniontown,  Md,.  where  he  was  brought  up  and  receiv- 
ed his  preparatory  education.  He  entered  Pennsylvania  College 
in  1846  and  graduated  with  the  highest  honor  in  1850.  He  was 
tutor  in  the  college  when  we  first  made  his  acqaintance.  He 
pursued  his  couise  in  theology  at  the  Seminary  during  the  years 
that  he  taught  in  the  Academic  Department,  and  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  1852.  After  his  ordination  he  was  temporary 
pastor  for  one  year  at  Winchester,  Va.;  pastor  at  Greensburg  and 
Adamsburg,  Pa.,  1854- 1855;  superintendent  of  the  Emmaus 
Orphan  School,  Middletown,  Pa.,  for  four  years,  1855-1859;  pas- 
tor of  St.  Matthew's,  Reading,  Pa.,  1859-1866;  professor  in  the 
Gettysburg  Seminary  1866- 1868;  president  of  the  Pennsylvania 
College  1 868- 1 884,  and  president  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
since  1884.  He  has  been  in  the  ministry  for  50  years.  This  is 
the  year  of  his  jubilee,  and  he  is  to  be  congratulated  on  his  splen- 
did record. 


408  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

Dr.  Valentine  is  a  man  of  superior  abilities  and  broad  schol- 
arship; he  is  not  only  a  theologian,  but  is  distinguished  in  many 
other  departments  of  learning;  yet  he  is  meek  and  gentle  in  his 
bearing,  and  most  amiable  in  all  his  social  relations.  His  ability 
and  worth  have  been  recognized.  His  Alma  Mater  conferred  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  upon  him  in  1866,  and  Wittenberg 
College  honored  him  with  the  degree  of  LL.  D.,  in  1886. 
He  has  been  appointed  to  the  highest  and  most  responsible  posi- 
tions in  the  church,  and  he  has  rendered  valuable  service  as  a 
teacher,  preacher,  and  writer.  We  note  a  few  of  his  publications  : 
The  Relation  of  the  Family  to  the  Church  ;  Natural  Theology  ; 
Knowledge  of  Service  ;  Absolute  Christianity  ;  Justification  by 
Faith,   Dynamics  of  Success  ;    The  Christian  Sabbath. 

Dr.  Valentine  was  married,  December  13,  1855.  to  Miss 
Margaret  G.  Gait  of  Taney  town,  Maryland. 

Rev.  Ira  M.  Wallace,  A.  M.,  (1897),  was  born  January 
I,  1866,  near  Williamsburg,  Blair  couuty,  Pa.  His  early  train- 
ing was  in  the  home  and  local  schools,  but  he  had  no  little  diffi- 
culty in  getting  an  education.  His  mother  died  before  he  came 
to  the  years  of  manhood,  and  as  the  home  was  broken  up  Ira 
naturally  drifted  about.  He  tried  all  kinds  of  work — on  the 
farm,  in  the  office,  and  on  the  field  with  the  civil  engineer  corps, 
but  found  no  satisfactory  calling  till  he  decided  to  devote  himself 
to  the  ministry.  He  received  the  first  words  of  encouragement 
from  Dr.Weidner  of  the  Chicago  Seminary,  when  he  concluded  to 
follow  his  advice  and  thus  fulfil  the  desire  of  his  sainted  mother. 
He  made  arrangements  to  attend  Thiel  College.  He  entered  this 
institution  in  the  autumn  of  1889,  ^"^  graduated  in  1894,  and 
completed  his  course  in  the  seminary  at  Mt.  Airy  in  1897.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  the  same  year  he  was  or- 
dained and  appointed  a  missionary  at  Morgantown,  W.  Va., 
where  he  is  still  the  successful  pastor. 

Rev.  Wallace  is  an  earnest  worker  in  his  Master's  cause,  a 
vigorous  and  original  thinker  and  a  forceful  speaker.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Irene  Shaffer,  of  Brick  Church,  Pa.,  on  the  7th  of 
September,   1897. 


REVS.  A.  H.  WATERS — J.  A,  WATERS.  409 

Rev.  Asa  H.  Waters  (1855),  was  born  March,  4,  1824, 
at  Pine  Grove,  now  Grove  City,  Mercer  county,  Pa.  He  was 
baptized  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  1844  was  confirmed 
in  the  First  Lutheran  church,  Pittsburg,  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  W.  A.  Passavant,  D.  D.  November  3rd,  1845,  ^^  entered 
Connoquenessing  Academy,  Zelienople,  Pa.,  where  he  spent 
three  years.  In  1848,  he  was  appointed  assistant  teacher  in 
Muhlenberg  Institute,  Greensburg,  Pa.,  and  in  1849  he  entered 
Pennsylvania  College  and  graduated  in  1853.  ^^^  same  year  he 
entered  Gettysburg  Seminary  and  finished  his  course  in  1855  , • 
was  licensed  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  in  1857  ordained.  In 
August,  1855,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Prospect  parish  which  he 
served  acceptably  for  1 1  years.  Meanwhile  he  also  served  other 
points,  had  charge  of  Butler  Academy  and  Witherspoon  Institute, 
each  a  year,  and  was  County  Superintendent  for  three  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1866,  he  was  appointed  to  locate  and  establish 
a  Soldiers'  Orphan  School,  which  he  established  in  Uniontown, 
Pa.,  where  it  was  carried  on  fDr  eight  years.  In  1874  it  was 
removed  to  Jumonville,  where  it  is  now.  In  this  work  he  was 
engaged  for  24  years  ;  also  preaching  and  holding  religious  ser- 
vices every  Sunday.  Feeling  that  he  needed  rest,  as  well  as  his 
wife,  who  had  shared  the  toils  and  cares  of  these  years  with 
him,  he  resigned  the  superintendency  in  1890.  Leaving  Jumon- 
ville and  turning  their  course  southward  they  were  providentially 
led  to  Melrose,  Florida,  where  they  found  Lutherans,  who,  like 
themselves,  desired  church  privileges.  Rev.  Waters  was  re- 
quested to  hold  services,  first  in  the  Episcopal  church,  later  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  till  St.  Luke's  church  was  built, 
of  which  mention  has  been  made.  Rev,  Waters  looks  on  this 
work  in  Melrose,  as  his  last  and  crowning  church  work.  He 
spends  his  winters  in  Melrose.  Rev.  Asa  H,  Waters  has  been 
in  the  ministry  47  years.  The  writer  has  been  associated  with 
him  since  college  days.  We  were  roommates  and  classmates 
and  graduated  at  the  same  time,  were  examined  together  before 
the  same  committee,  and  ordained  by  the  same  hands  of  prayer. 
We  have  worked  much  together  in  the  synod,  and  enjoyed  an 
unbroken  friendship  of  over  half  a  century. 


4IO  SOUTHERN   CONFERRNCE. 

Rev.  Waters  is  a  lovely  christian  brother,  and  a  devoted  ser- 
vant of  Christ,  who  is  always  ready  to  help  a  good  cause  when 
opportunity  presents  itself.  He  and  his  sainted  wife  performed 
a  work  of  love  and  self-denial  in  the  interest  of  the  orphans'  for 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  was  married  in  October, 
1855,  to  Miss  Katharine,  daughter  of  Rev.  Michael  J.  Steck  of 
Greensburg,  Pa.  Five  children  were  born  to  them  four,  sons  and 
one  daughter.  Two  sons  are  ministers.  The  youngest,  a  stu- 
dent of  theology,  is  in  eternity  having  been  drowned  in  Florida. 

Rev.  John  Armstrong  Waters  (1885)  oldest  son  of  Rev. 
Asa  H.  Waters,  was  born  on  the  i6th  of  July,  1857,  in  Prospect, 
Butler  county,  Pa.  He  received  his  elementary  education  in 
Uniontown  and  Jumonvilie,  Fayette  county,  Pa.  After  com- 
pleting his  preparatory  course  he  entered  Thiel  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1882,  and  finished  his  course  in  the  Phila- 
delphia Seminary  in  1885.  He  was  ordained  soon  afterwards  by 
the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  was  appointed  missionary  at  Union- 
town,  Pa.,  where  he  labored  most  successfully  till  1890,  when  he 
became  superintendent  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphan  School,  Jumon- 
vilie, Pa.,  a  position  he  has  filled  satisfactorily  ever  since,  and  still 
holds.  He  is  also  pastor  of  Zion's  church,  Jumonvilie,  and  of 
Christ  church.  Chalk  Hill,  which  he  serves  regularly  in  connec- 
tion with  the  superintendency. 

Rev.  John  A.  Waters  is  an  untiring  worker.  He  is  now 
filling  responsible  positions  in  the  church,  in  addition  to  his 
duties  in  the  school.  He  was  married  on  the  21st  of  September, 
1899,  t^  Miss  Mary  J.  Banks,  of  Butler,  Pa. 

Rev.  William  O.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  (1861),  was  born  in 
Chester  county,  Pa.,  May  2,  1837.  After  having  finished  his 
course  in  the  township  schools  he  went  to  Academia  in  Juniata 
county,  where  he  spent  four  years.  He  began  his  theological 
studies  under  Dr.  Thompson,  the  principal  of  the  school,  but  as 
he  could  not  accept  the  doctrine  of  predestination  he  transferred 
his  membership  from  the  Presbyterian  to  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  decided  to  study  for  the  ministry.     He  pursued  his  theologi- 


REVS.    W.    O.    WILSON — I.    K.  WISMER.  4II 

cal  Studies  under  Dr.  Focht,  of  Perry  county,  and  under  Dr. 
Henry  Ziegler,  of  Selinsgrove,  Pa.  He  was  licensed,  in  1861, 
by  the  Central  Pennsylvania  Synod,  and  accepted  a  call  to  Mil- 
lerstown.  Perry  county,  where  he  spent  three  years — organized 
three  congregations  and  built  a  church.  After  leaving  this  parish 
he  served  successively  the  following  churches  :  Bethlehem  parish 
in  Washington  county ;  Jacob's  church,  Fayette  county ;  Bis- 
marck, N,  D.,  in  1885  ;  St.  John's  church,  Fayette  count}'.  Pa., 
1886-1891.  In  1891  he  removed  to  Cheat  Haven,  Pa.,  his  pres- 
ent residence,  and  has  organized  a  congregation  here  and  built  a 
neat  chapel.  He  is  pastor  of  this  church  and  serves  it  regularly. 
In  1882  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  on  him. 
He  has  been  41  years  in  the  ministry,  30  of  which  have  been 
spent  in  active  service. 

Dr.  Wilson  has  an  active  mind,  a  vivid  imagination,  and 
fine  descriptive  powers.  He  is  a  fluent  and  impressive  preacher. 
He  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Wallis,  of  Lewistown,  Pa.,  soon  after 
his  ordination  to  the  ministry.  Eleven  children  were  born  to 
them,  onl)'^  five  of  whom  are  living — four  daughters  and  one  son. 

Rev.  Isaac  K.  Wismer  (1885),  the  youngest  son  of  Solo- 
mon and  Catharine  Wismer,  was  born  September  24,  I853,  i^ 
Bucks  county.  Pa.  His  parents  were  faithful  members  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  he  was  consecrated  to  God  in  infancy. 
His  father  died  when  the  child  was  three  and  a  half  years  old, 
and  his  life  struggle  began.  At  the  age  of  ten  he  worked  on  a 
neighboring  farm.  Later  he  worked  for  his  older  brother.  Hart- 
man,  and  in  the  spring  of  1872,  he  went  to  Philadelphia  to  learn 
saddler)'  and  harness  making  with  his  brother,  Edward.  Here 
he  attended  St.  Mark's  church,  of  which  Rev.  J.  A.  Kunkelman, 
D.  D.,  was  pastor,  and  by  whom  he  was  confirmed  in  1873. 
Under  Dr.  Kunkelman' s  pastoral  care,  he  was  led  to  devote  him- 
self to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  by  his  advice  he  took  a  pre- 
paratory course  in  the  Select  High  School  of  George  Kastburn, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1878.  In  September  of  that  year, 
he  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  graduated  with 
honor  in  June,  1882.     He  spent  the  next  three  years  at  Mt.  Airy 


412  SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE. 

Seminary  where  he  finished  the  course  in  May,  1885.  In  June 
he  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in 
October,  accepted  a  call  to  DuBois,  Pa.  After  a  successful  pas- 
torate of  nearly  seven  years,  he  resio^ned  this  field  to  accept  a 
call  to  the  L-atrobe  and  Youngstown,  Pa.,  parish.  He  served 
these  congregations  until  Januar}^  1902,  when  he  resigned  St. 
James,  at  Youngstown,  Pa.  He  is  still  the  esteemed  pastor  of 
Trinity  church,  Latrobe. 

Rev.  Wismer  is  a  faithful  minister,  an  untiring  worker,  and 
a  kind  pastor  who  has  endeared  himself  to  the  people  of  his  par- 
ish.    He  is  married  and  has  three  daughters. 

Rev.  Prof.  W.  H.  Wynn,  D.  D.,  (1854),  was  born  in  Sep- 
tember, 1832,  in  Blairsville,  Pa.  After  spending  his  youth  in 
his  native  town,  and  receiving  such  an  education  as  the  schools 
of  the  place  could  give,  he  entered  Wittenberg  College,  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  where  he  took  a  full  course,  graduated  in  1852,  and 
finished  his  theological  course  in  1854.  Having  passed  a  satis- 
factory examination  before  the  Southern  Conference,  he  was 
recommended  to  the  president  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  who 
granted  him  ad  interim  license.  The  Donegal  parish  gave  him 
a  unanimous  call,  and  he  was  installed  as  pastor  soon  afterwards. 
He  served  this  field  nearly  two  years,  then  resigned  to  accept  a 
call  from  a  mission  field  in  the  Miami  S3'nod,  Ohio.  He  served 
several  other  parishes,  but  for  the  last  40  years  he  has  devoted 
himself  largely  to  teaching.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Midland  College,  Atchison,  Kansas,  and  was  its  acting  pres- 
ident for  several  years.  He  is  now  professor  of  English  Litera- 
ture in  the  State  College  of  Iowa. 

Dr.  Wynn  is  a  man  of  fine  abilities,  and  has  risen  to  distinc- 
tion in  his  church.  He  is  an  earnest  preacher,  but  his  greatest 
force  lies  in  his  ability  to  teach.  He  has  written  a  number  of 
valuable  articles  for  Reviews  and  for  the  religious  press. 

Rev.  Wilson  Yeisley  (1883),  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Arnet)  Yeisley,  was  born  May  25,  1851,  near  Stroudsburg,  Pa. 
After  finishing  his  course  in  the  public  schools,  he  attended  the 


REVS.    W.    YIESLEY — A.    L.    YOUNT.  413 

academy  at  Stroudsburg,  a  Normal  Academy  at  Broadheadville, 
and  the  Millersbnrg  State  Normal  School.  He  taught  for  five 
successive  terms  in  the  public  schools  of  Monroe  county,  during 
which  time  he  studied  Greek  and  Latin  with  Rev.  G.  D.  Foust. 
In  the  fall  of  1876,  he  entered  Muhlenberg  College  and  graduated 
in  1880.  He  commenced  his  theological  course  in  the  seminary 
at  Philadelphia  the  same  year,  graduated  May  15,  1883,  and  was 
ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania  May,  22.  Soon 
afterwards  he  was  called  to  the  Bowerstown  parish,  Ohio,  where 
he  ministered  for  two  years.  Sinae  then  he  has  been  pastor  of 
the  following  parishes  :  Stone  Creek,  Ohio,  1885-1891  ;  Bethle- 
hem, Washington  county.  Pa.,  1891-1900  ;  Derry,  Pa.,  1900-1902; 
and  Crooked  Creek,  Pa.,  since  April,  1902.  He  did  some 
special  work  in  the  several  parishes  to  which  he  has  ministered. 
He  built  churches  at  Chili.  SLone  Creek  parish,  and  at  Scenery 
Hill,  Bethlehem,  and  greatly  improved  the  church  at  Derry. 

Rev.  Yeisley  is  a  man  of  genuine  worth,  and  in  all  of  his 
work  has  shown  an  earnestness  that  has  won  friends  in  the  par- 
ishes which  he  has  served.  He  was  married,  June  21,  1887,  to 
Miss  Frances  L.,  daughter  of   Rev.  J.  A.  Roof  of   Jewett,   Ohio. 

Rev.  a.  L.  Yount,  D.  D.,  (1877),  son  of  Noah  and  Eliza- 
beth Yount,  was  born  July  28,  185 1,  in  Catawba  county,  N.  C. 
He  prepared  for  college  in  Newton  High  School,  and  in  a  school 
at  Hickory,  N.  C;  entered  North  Carohna  College,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
N.  C,  in  1872,  and  graduated  in  1876,.  after  which  he  was  elected 
Professor  of  Mathematics,  and  served  one  year.  He  attended 
Philadelphia  Seminary,  and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the 
vSouthern  Illinois  Synod  September  30,  1877.  Previous  to  this  he 
received  a  call  from  Murphysboro,  111., which  church  he  served  for 
two  years.  From  1879-1886,  he  was  pastor. at  Bridgewater,  Nova 
Scotia,  and  from  1 886-1 891  at  Williamsport,  Pa.  In  1891  he 
accepted  a  call  to  the  First  church,  Greensburg,  Pa.,  where  he 
has  already  had  a  successful  pastorate  of  11  years. 

In  1895  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  his  Alma  Mater.  In  1897  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency 
of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  filled  that  ofiice  for  three  years. 


414  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

He  has  also  been  appointed  to  other  important  positions  of  honor 
and  trust  in  the  synod.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of  Thiel  College  and 
also  of  the  Greensburg  Seminary.  He  has  been  25  years  in  the 
ministry,  during  which  time  ne  has  been  in  active  service.  He 
is  an  energetic  and  persevering  worker,  an  able  and  popular 
preacher,  a  thoughtful  and  vigorous  writer,  and  a  considerate 
and  devoted  pastor.  The  esteem  in  which  his  people  hold  him 
was  shown  last  winter  when  they  sent  him  abroad  on  the  "Celtic" 
cruise,  to  Egypt,   the  Holy  I<and  and  Europe 

Dr.  Yount  has  published  a  number  of  books  and  pamphlets, 
among  which  are  :  Eost  and  Found  ;  Clean  Cut  Views  ;  Christian 
Missions  ;  The  Holy  Communion  Book  ;  Compulsory  Attendance 
and  Free  Text  Books  in  the  Public  Schools;  John  Arndt's  Ser- 
mons (translated)  and  Schoeberlein's  Jesus'  Hoh'  Passion.  He 
is  also  a  regular  contributor  to  the  Eutheran.  He  married  Eeali 
E.,  daughter  of  Rev.  D.  M.  Henkel,  D.  D.,  of  Catawissa,  Pa. 
Nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  have  been  born  to 
them.  01  these,  a  little  son  and  two  lovely  daughters,  have 
died  since  the  family  came  to  Greensburg. 

Rev.  Wieeiam  H.  Zuber  (1887),  was  born  July  8,  1S59, 
at  Collegeville,  Montgomery  county.  Pa.  He  received  his  pre- 
paratory training  at  Washington  Hall,  Trappe,  Pa. ,  and  in  the 
Academic  Department  of  Mulilenberg  College,  became  a  Fresh- 
man at  Muhlenberg  in  the  autumn  of  1880  and  graduated  in  1S84. 
He  completed  his  theological  course  at  the  Philadelphia  Semi- 
nary in  1887,  and  was  ordained  in  June  of  the  same  j-ear.  Soon 
afterwards  he  received  a  call  from  the  Seanor's  and  Karrold's  par- 
ish. Pa.,  which  he  served  successfull}-.  In  connection  with  this 
parish,  he  also  held  a  professorship  in  the  Greensburg  Seminary. 
In  the  autumn  of  1894,  he  accepted  a  call  to  a  mission  church  in 
West  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  to  which  he  ministered  till  1900,  when 
he  resigned  and  returned  to  the  Greensburg  Seminar}-,  where  he 
is  now  professor  of  Mathem.atics  and  Natural  Science.  Prof. 
Zuber  is  a  man  of  rare  ability,  an  original  thinker  and  a  scholar. 
He  excels  in  natural  science,  and  is  an  authoritj-  on  biolog}', 
mineralogy  and  kindred  subjects. 


MINISTERS   WITHOUT   BIOGRAPHIES.  415 

As  the  following  named  ministers,  who  were  or  are  still 
members  of  the  Southern  Conference,  did  not  send  us  any  data, 
we  could  not  prepare  biographies  of  them,  but  deem  it  proper  to 
notice  them  and  place  their  names  an  our  clerical  list. 

Rev.  C  Iv.  Boecele,  pastor  of  St.  James,  Altoona,  is  an  es- 
teemed member  of  our  synod  and  of  the  Southern  Conference. 
He  was  largely  educated  in  this  country,  though  of  foreign  birth, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  1S90.  He  has  served  several 
parishes.  He  was  pastor  at  Benwood,  West  Virginia,  till  1897 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  his  present  parish,  where  his  work  has 
been  greatly  blessed. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Busby,  now  of  Da5'ton,  Ohio,  was  pastor  of  sev- 
eral churches  in  Westmoreland,  in  the  sixties,  for  about  six  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  District  Synod  of  Ohio.  He  has  done 
good  service,  but  is  now  retired  on  account  of  physical  disability. 

Rev.  J.  D.  English  was  a  member  of  our  conference  from 
1 8 66  to  1868  and  had  an  honorable  standing  among  us  and  we 
regretted  his  earl}^  removal.  He  was  educated  at  Hartwick  and 
was  ordained  by  the  Hartwick  Synod,  to  which  he  was  again 
dismissed. 

Rev.  lyUdwig  O.  Hammer  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the 
Pittsburg  Synod  in  1893,  ^^^  ^^s  been  an  esteemed  member 
ever  since.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Southern  Conference  for 
several  years.  He  has  served  the  Altoona  mission,  St.  John's 
church,  Councils ville.  Pa.,  Brier  Hill  church,  Ohio,  and  since 
May,  1 89 1,  the  Parkersburg  Mission.  Rev.  Hammer  is  an  earn- 
est man  and  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ. 

Rev.  P.  Lamardin  is  a  German  by  education  as  well  as 
birth.  He  was  ordained  in  1888.  He  was  only  one  year  pas- 
tor of  St.  John's  Connellsville.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the 
Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  H.  S.  Gilbert,  now  pastor  of  New  Kensington  church, 
is  also  a  member  of  our  synod,  and  his  church  is  in  the  bounds 
of  our  Conference.  He  is  a  young  man  of  ability  and  promise. 
He  was  ordained  in  1894  ^"d  he  is  now  serving  his  second  parish^ 

Rev.W.  G.  Hudson  was  born  in  India,  of  English  parent- 
age, and    was  educated    in  America.     He  was  ordained  in  1885. 


4l6  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

He  became  a  member  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod  and  served  Salts- 
burg,  Fenelton,  St.  James  and  Avon  more ;  Catasauqua,  Pa., 
and  is  now  pastor  of  Grace  church,   Frankhn,  Pa. 

Rev.  G.  L.  lyohman  is  pastor  of  St.  John's  church  Connells- 
ville,  Pa.  He  was  ordained  in  1889,  and  has  served  several 
churches  in  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  He  is  in  his  present  parish 
since  1897.  He  is  a  man  of  liberal  education.  He  has  given 
attention  to  several  foreign  languages  to  enable  him  to  minister 
to  the  foreign  Lutherans  speaking  these  languages. 

Rev.  Herbert  Martens  is  the  son  of  a  minister.  He  was  or- 
dained in  1892  and  has  served  several  parishes  in  our  synodical 
bounds — Saxonburg  and  Sarver's  and  Mt  Pleasant,  Pa.,  the  latter 
he  served  till  November  1900,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Salt 
Lake  City,  Utah,  where   he  is  now  pastor. 

Rev.  John  Mueller  is  a  native  of  Russia,  he  came  to  Amer- 
ica young,  and  was  ordained  in  1879.  He  spent  four  years  as 
pastor  at  Altoona,  Pa.  Since  1897  he  has  been  serving  a  par- 
ish in  his  native  country. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Smith  was  pastor  of  a  parish  in  the  bounds  of 
our  Conference  for  nine  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  District 
S3^nod  of  Ohio,  and  is  now  pastor  at  Lewisburg,  O. 

Rev.  R.  M.  Zimmerman,  was  born  in  Allegheny  township, 
Westmoreland  county.  He  took  his  collegiate  course  at  Thiel 
College  and  his  theological  course  at  Philadelphia.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod  in  1879,  and  has 
served  the  following  churches  and  parishes :  Parker  and  St. 
Petersburg,  Clarion  county.  Pa.,  Saltsburg  and  St.  James,  Pa., 
a  mission  in  Philadelphia  and  Holy  Trinity,  Jeannette,  Pa.,  till 
1895.  Since  that  time  he  has  not  done  parish  work,  but  has 
spent  three  years  at  Santiago,  Cuba,  as  an  official  na  the  Rev- 
enue Department  of  that  city.  He  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Jacob  Zim- 
merman, who  for  a  number  of  years  was  pastor  of  several 
churches  in  Westmoreland  county,  but  has  been  retired  for  many 
years  on  accouni  of  physical  disability. 


REV.    ISAAC   OUVER    BAKER.  417 

Rev.  Isaac  Oliver  Baker,  (i88i).  son  of  Charles  and 
Hannah  M.  (Pool)  Baker  of  Hempfield  Township,  Westmore- 
land county,  Pa.,  was  born  June  20,  1854.  In  early  childhood 
he  was  baptized  by  Rev.  Jonas  Mechling,  and  when  he  arrived 
at  young  manhood  he  was  confirmed  b}^  Rev.  G.  A.  Bruegel. 
The  desire  to  be  a  minister  was  in  his  heart  when  he  was  very 
young,  and  matured  into  a  fixed  purpose  when  he  took  his  vows 
of  confirmation.  From  that  time  he  planned  and  studied  with 
this  object  in  view.  After  leaving  the  public  schools  of  the 
township,  he  attended  a  school  of  a  higher  grade  in  Greens- 
burg.  In  1873,  he  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  Thiel 
College,  became  a  member  of  the  Freshman  class  the  following 
year,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1878.  He  finished 
his  course  in  the  Philadelphia  Seminary  in  1881.  As  soon  as 
he  had  completed  his  theological  course,  he  received  a  call  to 
become  pastor  of  Memorial  Church,  Erie,  and  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1 88 1,  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  of  the  I,utheran 
Church  in  the  parish  to  which  he  had  so  recently  been  called. 
He  took  up  the  work  in  this  congregation  at  once,  and  has  been 
its   faithful  and  devoted  pastor  ever  since. 

Great  changes  have  been  wrought,  and  there  has  been 
remarkable  growth  in  the  city  of  Erie  since  then ;  and  there 
has  been  a  corresponding  change  and  growth  in  the  Eutheran 
church.  From  a  weak  and  struggling  band,  it  has  become  a 
strong,  influential,  and  leading  church.  In  1887,  the  present 
commodious  and  handsome  church  was  completed  and  dedicated. 
This  event  marks  the  beginning  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
congregation.  Having  finished  and  paid  for  their  church  at  an 
outla>  of  $30,000,  and  having  gathered  a  large  and  prosperous 
congregation,  missionary  work  was  begun.  Within  the  last  ten 
years,  two  missions  have  been  organized  in  different  parts  of  the 
city,  and  two  chapels,  each  costing  $4000,  have  been  built.  One 
of  these  missions  has  become  a  self-sustaining  church  with  a 
membership  of  240  communicants  ;  the  other  has  a  flourishing 
Sunday  School,   and  is  now  waiting  for  a  suitable  pastor. 

To  appreciate,  in  some  measure,  the  work  done  by  Rev. 
Baker,  we  note   his  ministerial   acts.     He  has  preached   about 


41 8  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

2,500  sermons,  besides  week-day  lectures  and  other  discourses. 
He  has  baptized  703  children,  confirmed  803  adults,  and  received 
350  members  by  letters  of  transfer.  He  has  dismissed  62  to 
Zion's  church,  a  daughter  of  the  mother  church,  and  T04  to 
other  churches  outside  of  Erie.  He  has  solemnized  314  mar- 
riages;  buried  130  of  the  members,  and  attended  212  funerals 
outside  of  his  church.  The  congregation  now  has  a  membership 
of  over  800  communicants ;  520  scholars  in  its  two  Sunday 
schools  ;  and  for  the  last  five  years,  the  annual  contributions  to 
benevolence  have  averaged  $1,000. 

Rev.  Baker  has  now  be^n  pastor  of  this  congregation  for  22 
years,  and  though  he  has  had  frequent  and  flattering  calls  to 
other  places,  he  has  remained  steadily  in  his  place.  The  wisdom 
of  his  course  is  shown  in  the  work  which  he  has  accomplished. 
He  is  a  faithful  and  earnest  worker,  a  diligent  student,  a  good 
sermonizer,  a  vigorous  and  popular  preacher,  and  a  kind  and 
sympathetic  pastor.  He  was  married  in  June,  1884,  to  I\Iiss 
Wilhelmina  Reedy,  of  Erie,  Pa.  Two  daughters  have  been  born 
to  them. 

Rev.  W11.1.1S  Beck,  (1902),  son  of  George  Ezra  and  Mary 
(Wolslayer,)  Beck,  was  born  on  the  12th  of  February,  1876,  at 
Stone  Church,  Northampton  county,  Penn'a,  where  he  was  also 
reared  and  received  his  elementary  education.  During  the  win- 
ter of  1894  ^^"i  1895,  he  taught  in  the  public  school.  In  the 
autumn  of  1895,  he  entered  Muhlenberg  College  from  wdiich  he 
was  graduated  in  June,  1899.  In  September  of  the  same  year, 
he  began  his  theological  studies  in  the  Philadelphia,  Seminary, 
and  finished  his  course  on  the  20th  of  May,  1902.  During 
his  vacation,  in  1900,  he  supplied  a  mission  of  North  Bangor, 
Pa.,  and  during  his  vacation  in  1901,  he  did  acceptable  work  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  in  St.  James  and  Avonmore 
parish,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. 

On  the  nth  of  May,  1902,  he  received  a  call  from  Hoi}'- 
Trinity  Church,  Derry  Station,  Westmoreland  county,  Pen.ua. 
After  his  ordination  to  the  ministry  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pa.  at 
Easton,  Pa.,   on  the  26th  of  May,  1902,  he  accepted   the  call  to 


REV.    GUSTAV  ADOI.PH   BRUEGEL.  419 

Derry  Station.  He  began  his  pastorate  there  on  the  6th  of  July, 
and  was  installed  on  the  31st  of  August  by  Rev.  J.  L,.  Smith, 
D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg,  assisted  by  Rev.  I.  K.  Wismer,  of  Latrobe, 
and  Prof.  W.  H.  Zuber,  of  Greensburg. 

He  has  conducted  services  re,'j;ularly  on  every  Lord's  Day, 
and  his  work  has  been  blessed  with  encouraging  results.  Thirty- 
two  members  have  been  a-ided  to  the  church  during  his  brief 
pastorate  ;  and  at  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  June,  1903,  the  con- 
gregation, at  its  own  request,  was  transferred  to  the  list  of  self- 
sustaining  parishes. 

Rev.  Beck  has  made  a  good  beginning.  He  is  a  young  man 
of  excellent  character,  and  has  tact,  energy  and  ability  which  fit 
him  for  successful  work  in  the  church. 

Rev.  Gustav.  Adolph  Bruegel  (i86i,)  was  born  on  the 
13th  of  June,  1837,  in  the  Black  Forest,  Wurtemberg,  Germany, 
where  his  childhood  and  youth  were  spent  in  a  christian  home. 
He  received  his  classical  education  at  Tuebingen.  In  1857  he 
emigrated  to  America  in  company  with  his  brother.  After 
teaching  at  Ann  Arbor,  A[ichigan,  for  a  year,  he  entered  the 
Theological  Seminary  at  Columbus,  Ohio.  He  finished  his  course 
in  1861,  and  w^s  ordained  by  the  Ohio  Synod  in  St.  Luke's 
Church,  Zanesville,  Ohio,  to  which  he  had  been  called.  He 
served  this  congregation  for  three  years  on  a  salary  of  S250  per 
annum.  In  1864  he  accepted  a  call  to  Canton  parish,  composed 
of  six  congregations.  He  served  this  laborious  parish  for  four 
years  when  his  health  failed  on  account  of  overwork.  After 
resting  a  short  time,  he  resumed  work.  At  the  recommendation 
of  Rev.  G.  W.  IMechling,  he  was  elected  pastor  of  the  Greens- 
burg parish,  which  he  served  for  three  years.  His  pastorate 
marks  a  new  era  in  this  parish  ;  English  services  were  introduced 
and  the  foundation  was  laid  for  the  future  development  of  the 
congregations  In  1872,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Warren,  Pa., 
where  he  found  the  same  conditions  and  the  same  needs  as  in 
the    Greensburg  parish. 

He  introduced  regular  English  services,    but  his  progressive 
course  provoked  oppo.'^ition  and  he  resigned.     In  1875,  he  was 


420  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 

called  to  Lehighton,  Carbon  Co.,  Pa.,  where  he  labored  faith- 
fully for  three  years,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  Cherry ville, 
Pa,  This  parish  he  served  successfull}^  for  nearly  ten  years  when 
his  health  failed  and  he  was  compelled  to  take  a  rest.  Through 
the  kindness  of  friends,  he  was  enabled  to  make  a  trip  to  Ger- 
many. He  spent  five  months  in  the  Fatherland,  and  came  back 
greatly  improved  in  health.  Soon  after  his  return  he  was  called 
to  Syracuse,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  was  pastor  for  three  years,  when 
he  was  called  to  Utica,  N.  Y.  Here  his  services  were  highly 
appreciated,  as  was  evident  when  he  was  called  to  the  German 
professorship  in  Thiel  College.  He  filled  this  latter  posi- 
tion for  two  years,  when  he  resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to  Saint 
I^uke's  Church  in  Erie,  Pa.  He  labored  successfully  in  this  con- 
gregation for  several  years  ;  but  the  language  question  made  a 
dissension  in  the  congregation  and  his  health  declined,  which  led 
to  his  resignation.  After  resting  a  few  months,  he  accepted  a 
call  from  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Phillipsburg,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
is  now  the  happy  and  successful  pastor. 

Rev.  Bruegal  possesses  rare  abilities  which  have  been  devel- 
oped by  education  and  culture.  He  is  conscientious,  full  of  zeal 
for  the  church,  earnest  in  his  ministry  and  faithful  as  a  pastor. 
He  was  married  Dec.  14,  1864,  to  Miss  Olivia  Schwabe,  of 
Zanesville,  Ohio.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  two  sons 
and  three  daughters.  One  son  died  in  childhood  ;  and  one 
daughter,  Lena,  while  serving  as  a  nurse  during  the  Spanish- 
American  War  ;  the  other  children  are  living. 

Rev.  Duncan  McVickor  Kemerer,  (1864),  son  of  John 
and  Mary  Ann  (Rock,)  Kemerer,  of  Shellsburg,  Pa.,  was  born 
on  the  7th  of  August,  1838.  He  was  baptized  in  childhood  and 
confirmed  when  he  arrived  at  young  manhood.  He  received  his 
early  training  in  the  family  and  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
town.  In  1858,  he  entered  Pennsylvania  College  and  was  grad- 
uated in  1862,  After  his  graduation  he  taught  for  several  years 
in  the  Leechburg  Academy,  under  the  care  of  Prof.  D.  McKee. 
He  pursued  his  theological  studies  at  the  Western  Theological 
Seminary,  Allegheny ;  was  licensed  by  the  Pittsburg  Synod  in 


REV.    DUNDAN  MCVICIvOP    KEMERER.  421 

1864,  and  ordained  in  autumn  of  1.^65.  He  accepted  a  call  to 
New  lycbanon,  Mercer  Co..  Pa.,  and  served  this  church  success- 
fully till  1S67,  when  lie  received  a  call  to  the  Venango  parish, 
composed  of  Saegertown  and  other  points  in  Crawford  Co.  Pie 
served  this  parish  successfully  for  ten  years.  He  gathered  the 
people  and  strengthened  the  congregations.  He  effected  a  peace- 
able separation  of  the  Reformed  and  Lutlieran  conuregations  at 
Saegertown,  and  built  a  beautiful  goth.ic  church  for  the  Lutlieran 
congregation.  He  also  built  a  comfortable  pastor's  liome.  In 
1877,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Jewett,  Ohio,  where  he  also  did  suc- 
cessful work.  Here  he  built  a  new  church  which  wi:s 
consecrated  wdien  the  Synod  met  there  in  1S79.  He  also 
finished  and  furnished  the  church  at  Rumley,  and  did  faithful 
work  throughout  the  entire  parish.  In  1881,  he  Vv'as  elected 
financial  secretary  of  Thiel  Colleri-e,  whicli  position  he  filled  suc- 
cessfully for  three  years  ;  he  collected  about  $19,000.  In  18S4 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Saltsburg  parish,  which  he  served  faitli- 
fullytill  the  autumn,  1887,  v/hen  he  was  elected  missionary  presi- 
dent of  the  Synod,  which  office  he  filled  for  .seven  years.  In 
1895,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Sherodsville.  Ohio,  where  he  was 
pastor  three  years.  In  1S98,  he  removed  to  Carrollton,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  chaplain  of  Carroll  County  Infirmarj',  and  supplied 
Osage  and  other  points.  In  1900,  he  returned  to  Pittsburg,  and 
since  then  has  been  engaged  in  general  cliurch  work.  He  is  still 
the  efficient  secretary  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  which  office  he 
hasfidledfor  18  years.  For  many  years  he  was  a  trustee  and  sec- 
retary of  the  Board  of  Thiel  College.  He  is  the  oracle  of  the 
synod ;  he  knows  more  of  the  history  of  the  Synod  than  any 
other  member  in  it.  He  is  a  genial  companion,  a  faithful 
worker,  an  earnest  preacher,  and  a  popular  and  successful  pastor. 
On  the  25th  of  June,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Cal.  Delo,  of 
Crossingville,  Pa.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  two  sons 
and  one  daughter.     The  daughter  died  in  infancy. 

Rev.  William  Allen  Lambert,  (1898),  son  of  Tilghman 
and  Ciiriiitiana  Lambert,  of  near  Hellertown,  Northampton 
county,  Pa.,  was  born  on  the  15th  of  November,  1874.     He  was 


422  SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE, 

consecrated  in  holy  baptism  on  the  15th  of  January,  1875,  and 
was  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Ilellertown  on  the 
1 8th  of  April,  1891,  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  W.  J.  Bieber. 
He  attended  school  at  Hellertown,  and  at  South  Bethlehem,  atid 
received  his  preparatory  training  for  college  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Prof.  Wm.  Ulrich,  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.  In  1891,  he 
entered  Lehigh  University,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion in  1895.  The  same  year  he  began  his  theological  studies  at 
Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  where  he  completed  the  course  in  1898. 
After  passing  a  creditable  examination  before  the  committee,  he 
was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pennsylvania.  During  his 
course  at  the  Seminary,  he  assisted  in  the  preparation  of  the 
Memorial  Volume  of  the  Ministerium  of  Pa.  In  January,  1899, 
he  began  missionary  work  in  Emanuel's  Church,  Albany,  N.  Y. , 
and  became  the  regular  pastor  of  that  congregation  the  following 
March.  Here  he  served  until  1901.  During  the  collegiate  3'ear 
1901-1902,  he  was  temporary  professor  in  Thiel  College  as  assist- 
ant to  President  Roth.  In  June,  1902,  he  received  a  call  to 
Saltsburg,  Pa.,  which  he  accepted  soon  after  the  close  of  the  col- 
legiate year,  and  at  present  he  is  the  acceptable  pastor  in  that 
parish.  On  January  15,  1899,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  K. 
Kern,  of  Coopersburg,  Pa.  A  son,  whom  they  named  Tilghman 
Albert,  was  born  to  them  in  June,  1901.  On  Januarj^  22,  1902, 
after  a  painful  illness  of  several  weeks,  Mrs.  L,ambert  died  of 
pulmonary  tuberculosis. 

Rev.  John  K.  MeIvHORN  (1852),  son  ot  John  and  Sarah 
(Kaufroth)  Melhorn,  was  born  Januarj^  20,  1826,  in  Lancaster 
county,  Pa.  His  parents  were  of  German  descent,  his  father 
being  a  farmer.  When  John  was  about  two  years  old,  the  family 
removed  to  Erie  county.  Here  on  a  farm  on  the  shore  of  Lake 
Erie,  he  spent  his  childhood  and  early  ycuth,  attending  the 
public  school  in  winter  and  working  on  the  farm  during  the 
summer.  In  the  spring  of  1844,  he  entered  the  Erie  Academy 
which  he  attended  for  four  years  with  the  exception  of  the  two 
winters  of  1846-7  and  1847-8  when  he  was  employed  as  a  teacher 
in  the  public  schools.      In  the  spring  of  1848,  he  entered  Wash- 


REV.    JOHN    K.    MELHORN.  423 

inston  Colleg'?  as  a  member  of  the  Sophomore  class,  and  gradua- 
ted from  that  institution  in  September,  1850.  Immediately  after 
his  graduation,  he  took  charge  of  an  academy  at  Circleville, 
Ohio,  which  he  conducted  successfully  for  seventeen  months. 
During  this  time,  he  pursued  his  theological  studies,  and  in 
February,  1852,  he  entered  the  Seminary  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
On  the  sixth  of  June  of  the  same  year,  he  was  licensed  by  the 
Western  District  Synod  of  Ohio,  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  English  District  Synod  of  Ohio 
in  October,  1854.  Immediately  after  his  licensure,  he  was  called 
to  become  pastor  of  Jacob's  Church  in  Fayette  county,  Pa.,  at  a 
salary  of  $250.  He  conducted  services  on  ever}^  alternate  Sun- 
day at  Jacob's  Church,  and  at  Morris  Cross  Roads  in  Spring  Hill 
township,  where  he  organized  a  congregation  and  built  a  neat 
church,  as  has  been  noted  in  this  history.  He  also  served  Zion's 
and  Bethel  congregations  in  Washington  county  for  several 
years.  In  1861,  he  resigned  these,  and  accepted  a  call  from  a 
parish  of  four  congregations  in  Preston  county.  West  Virginia 
which  he  served,  in  connection  with  Jacob's  Church,  for  four 
years.  During  this  time,  he  built  a  church  at  Crab  Orchard,  and 
organized  a  congregation  at  Hazelrun.  Rev.  INIelhorn  was  pastor 
of  the  Jacob's  Church  for  thirteen  years,  and  his  important  serv- 
ices in  this  field  have  been  noted  in  our  history  of  the  congrega- 
tion. He  did  much  hard  work  during  these  years  both  in 
Fayette  county  and  in  West  Virginia.  He  preached  three  and 
often  four  times  a  week,  and  traveled  long  distances  on  horse- 
back when  he  ought  to  have  been  in  his  study  or  taking  neces- 
sary rest.  He  traveled  5,000  miles  each  year  he  spent  at  Jacob's 
Church,  making  65,000  during  his  pastorate.  In  1865,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Freeport  parish,  Armstrong  county.  While  in  this 
field,  which  he  served  for  nearly  six  years,  he  organized  Saint 
Mark's  congregation  at  Springdale,  and  St.  IvUke's  at  Saxonburg 
and  built  churches  for  them.  He  also  built  a  church  for  Saint 
Paul's  parish  at  Sarversville,  Butler  county.  In  1871,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  Grace  Church,  South  Side,  Pittsburg,  to  which 
he  ministered  for  eighteen  years.  While  in  this  parish,  he 
organized  St.  John's  congregation  at  Homestead,  built  a  church, 


424 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE. 


and  served  the  people  on  every  alternate  Sunday  for  th'r;c-5u 
years.  In  June,  18S9,  he  resigned  Grace  Church  a. id  accepLed  a 
call  to  become  pastor  of  the  Freeport  parish  composed  of  Saint 
J()hu'.s,  St.  Matthews  and  Zion's  or  Fork's  Church.  He  minis- 
tered ftuthfully  to  this  parish  and  built  a  new  church  for  the 
Zion's  congrejiution.  After  a  pastorate  of  six  years,  at  the  earn- 
est request  of  the  missionary  president,  he  accepted  a  call  from 
the  Allegheny  Valley  Mission.  Here  he  labored  earnestly  and 
succeeded  in  paying  the  debt  resting  on  the  church  at  Tarentum, 
and  built  a  substantial  brick  church  for  the  congre'^ation  at 
Natroaa.  At  the  close  of  1901,  he  retired  from  pastoral  work. 
Looknig  back  over  his  work  of  fifty  years  in  the  ministry,  he  has 
a  good  record.  He  has  preached  6,868  sermons,  baptized  950 
persons  ;  received  1.604  into  full  membership ;  married  468 
couples  ;  and  buried  650  persons.  He  organized  five  new  congre- 
gations, built  eight  churches,  served  for  three  years  as  president 
of  the  Pittsburg  Synod,  and  for  thirteen  years  as  missionary  pres- 
ident of  that  body.  Rev.  Meihorn  has  been  in  the  ministry 
lifty-one  years,  and  is  the  second  oldest  minister  ol  the  Synod. 
He  is  a  man  of  iron  constitution  and  positive  character,  a  vigor- 
ous thinker,  an  earnest  and  impressive  speaker,  and  a  faithful 
and  persevering  pastor.  PTe  was  married  to  Miss  Isabella  C.  Hill 
of  near  Washington,  Pa.,  July  2,  1852.  Ten  children,  four  sons 
and  six  daughters,  were  born  to  them  ;  eight  of  whom  are  still 
living. 

Rev.  Daniel  Dawson  Miller  (1889),  son  of  John  and 
Susanna  (Mikesell)  Miller,  was  born  Jan.  12,  1855,  in  German 
Township,  Harrison  county,  Ohio.  He  was  baptized  in  infancy 
and  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  Church  at  the  age  of  15.  He  was 
trained  to  industry,  spending  his  early  life  on  a  farm,  but  he  en- 
joyed educational  advantages,  first  in  the  public  schools  and  later 
at  the  IMcNeely  Normal  School,  Hopedale,  Ohio.  After  leaving 
this  institution,  he  spent  twelve  years  as  a  teacher.  In  the  fall 
of  1883,  he  removed  to  Greenville,  Pa.,  became  a  member  of  the 
Freshman  Class  of  Thiel  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1887. 
In  the  fall  of  1887,  he  entered  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,   completed 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  425 

his  course  in  1890,  and  was  ordained  Iw  the  Pittsburg  Synod  at 
its  meeting  at  Plea.sant  Unity,  Pa.  Shortly  after  his  ordination 
he  was  called  to  the  Parker  and  Emlenton  mission,  where  he 
served  tor  more  than  two  years.  During  this  time,  the  church 
lit  Piirket  was  remodeled,  a  good  Sunday  School  maintained,  and 
the  membership  increased.  In  October,  1892,  he  accepted  a  call 
to  Crooked  (!reek  parish.  This  pastorate  continued  ten  years. 
The  church  buildings  were  improved,  and  the  membership  in- 
cteased  in  each  congregation.  Within  the  last  year  the  parish 
has  been  divided  ;  St.  John's  withdrawing  and  uniting  with 
Zi oil's  to  form  the  Forks  parish.  In  May,  1902,  Rev.  Miller 
held  communion  services  in  .Jacob's  Church,  thoi  vacant.  This 
visit  was  followed  b}'  a  call  to  become  ])astor  of  the  congregation. 
He  entered  upon  his  work  in  June,  1902.  The  first  year  of  his 
pastorate  has  been  encouraging.  A  young  peoples'  society  has 
been  organized,  the  church  has  been  supplied  with  Church  Books, 
a  catfcherical  class  meets  weekly,  and  twenty  have  been  added 
to  the  membership.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Southern  Confer- 
ence, St.  John's  near  Morris  Cross  Roads  was  placed  under  this 
pastorate.  Rev.  Miller  has  been  13  years  in  the  minis  ry,  and 
his  labors  have  been  successful.  He  is  a  faithful  worker  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard  and  has  made  a  good  beginning  in  his  present 
parish.  He  was  married  June  30,  1880,  to  Miss  Belle  S.  Golden, 
daughter  of  v  V.  P.  minister. 

Rkv.  William  Albert  Christian  Mueller  (1881),  son  of 
Rev.  L.  Mueller,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina ^ 
(;n  April  1^,  1857,  where  he  spent  his  youth  and  received  his 
early  training.  He  graduated  in  Europe,  1874,  at  Zweibraecke.i, 
Bavaria,  and  took  his  theological  course  at  Mt.  Airy  Seminary, 
Phiiadelphia,  and  graduated  in  June,  1878.  On  the  18th  of  the 
same  month,  he  was  ordained  at  Oreenville,  Pa.,  by  the  autho!'- 
ity  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod.  He  has  served  the  following  par- 
ishes in  the  bounds  of  this  Synod  with  a  good  degree  of  success: 
C-ooked  Creek,  1878-1881  ;  Connelsville,  I88I-I884 ;  Warren, 
1890-1892.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Kutztown; 
Pa.,  from  1884  till  1890 ;  and  since  1892  he  has  been  in  his  pres- 


426  REV.    WILLIAM   ALBEET   CHRISTIAN   MUELLER. 

ent  parish.  On  January  25,  1892,  he  entered  on  hi.s  duties  as 
assistant-pastor  to  his  aged  and  venerable  father.  On  the  l-^th 
of  April,  1898,  his  father  died,  and  on  the  24th  of  May,  he  was 
unanimously  elected  as  his  successor.  His  fjither,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Muf^ler,  was  pastor  of  this  congregation  for  50  years,  and  built 
the  magnificent  church  in  which  his  son  now  preaches.  It  is  a 
large  and  imposing  structure,  90xl20ft  in  size.  It  has  a  seating 
capacit}'  of  1500,  and  cost  $125,000,  and  is  known  in  Charleston 
as  "the  Lutheran  Cathedral."  Rev,  Mueller  is  a  busy  man.  He 
ministers  to  a  large  congregation  both  in  German  and  English. 
He  divides  his  services  equally  between  the  two  languages.  Rev. 
Mueller  has  been  11  3'ears  in  Charleston  and  enjoys  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  people.  He  has  now  been  25  years  in 
the  ministry  and  celebrated  the  25th  anniversary  of  his  ordina- 
tion on  the  19th  of  June,  (1903).  He  is  a  man  of  liberal  educa- 
tion and  culture.  He  is  a  diligent  worker,  a  popular  preacher 
and  a  iaithful  pastor.  Re^ .  W,  A.  C.  Mueller  was  joined  in  the 
bonds  of  matrimony  with  Miss  Emma  Clara  Brown  (Braun),  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  on  Jan,  9,  1879.  Six  children  have  been 
born  to  them  ;  three  of  whom,  one  son  and  two  daughters,  are 
still  living. 

Rev.  Luther  D.  Reed  (1895),  son  of  Rev,  Ezra  L.  Reed  of 
West  Newton,  was  born  in  North  Wales,  Pa.,  March  21,  1873. 
He  received  his  early  training  in  a  christian  home  and  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  town.  After  his  father  was  called  to  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  he  took  a  regular  course  in  the  public  schools,  grad- 
uating from  the  high  school  in  1888.  The  same  3'ear  he  entered 
Franklin  and  Marshall  College,  and  was  graduated  in  1892.  He 
pursued  his  theological  studies  at  Mt.  Airy  Seminary,  finished 
the  course  in  1895,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of 
Pennsylaania.  Soon  after  his  ordination,  he  accepted  a  call  from 
Emanuel  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church,  Allegheny,  Pa.,  which 
he  served  for  eight  years.  During  his  pastorate  this  mission  was 
greatly  strengthened  by  many  additions  in  membership  and  by 
developing  activity  and  churchmanship  ;  and  by  his  energy  and 
tact  a  debt  of  $4,000,  which  had  burdened  the  property  for  many 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  427 

years,  was  removed.  In  January,  1902,  theconi]fre,2;ation  granted 
Rev.  Reed  leave  ofal)sence  for  the  purpose  of  pursuinir  sj^ecinl 
studies  in  Europe.  He  spent  his  time  in  Germany,  Denmark. 
Sweden,  Norway  and  England  in  the  study  of  tiie  Liturgical  lite 
and  conditions  in  the  Lutheran  churches  in  these  countries, 
shortly  after  his  return  from  ahroad,  he  was  called  to  become  the 
pastor  of  the  Holy  Trinity  Church,  Jeannette,  Pa.,  to  begin 
work  in  this  field  in  June,  1903.  Flev.  Reed  enjoys  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  brethren  in  the  synod  and  of  those  who 
have  become  acquainted  with  his  abilities  and  valuable  services. 
He  is  well  known  by  his  literary  work,  especially  in  the  depart- 
ment of  Liturgies  and  church  music.  Through  his  influence  the 
Lutheran  Liturgical  Association  was  organized  five  years  ago,  and 
he  has  been  president  of  the  association  ever  since  its  organiza- 
tion. In  collaboration  with  Mr.  Harry  G.  Archer,  the  organist 
of  the  First  Lutheran  Church  of  Pittsburg,  Rev.  Reed  has  pub- 
lished the  "Psalter  and  Canticles  Pointed  for  Chantine, "  and  the 
Choral  Service,  (now  in  its  second  edition);  while  two  other  vol- 
umes by  the  same  authors,  "Music  of  the  Responses,"  and  "The 
{season  Vespers,"  are  now  being  taken  through  the  press. 

Rev.  Geo.  W,  Spiggle,  A.  M  ,  (1881),  son  of  George  arid 
Sarah  Spiggle,  was  born  on  the  4th  of  December,  1855.  near  Sa- 
lem, Roanoke  Co.,  Va.,  on  a  farm  where  he  remained  till  nearly 
nineteen  years  of  age.  He  received  his  early  training  in  a  chris- 
tian home  and  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1874,  he  entered  Roanoke  College  where  he  spent  four  years 
and  one  5'ear  at  Wesleyan  University,  East  Tenn.  He  taught 
three  terms.  In  June,  1881,  he  graduiited  from  the  Southern 
Theological  Seminarv,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year,  he  was 
ordained  by  the  South  West  Virginia  Synod.  His  first  work  was 
as  missionary  in  the  mountains  of  Virginia,  and  then  he  was 
pastor  for  several  years  of  the  Jiles  parish.  In  the  spring  of 
1885,  the  Board  of  Home  missions  extended  him  a  call  to  become 
missionar}'  at  AVest  Point,  Nebraska,  which  he  accej^ted  and  began 
his  work  in  April,  1885.  A  new  church  was  built  and  consecra- 
ted in  six  months,  but  the  climate  of  Nebraska  was  too  severe  for 


428  RF,V.    GEORGE   \V.    SPIGGLE. 

his  wife    and  he   was  compelled   to  2;ive  up   ihe  work.     The  old 
historic  Mt.  Tabor  Church  in  Augusta  Co.,  Va. ,  was   then  vacant 
and  gave  him  a  call,  which,  after  mature  deli!)eration,  ho  accepted 
aid  labored  there   for   nearly  nine  3'ear.-!,    during    vvhich  time    a 
new  chu»-ch  was  built,  and  also  a  chapel  six  miles  distant.     The 
membership   was   increased   from   125    to   340   and  the  cause  of 
Lutheranism  strengthened.      Whilst  pastor  of  Mt.  Tabor  Church, 
he  filled  several  important  (offices  of  the  Virginia  S3'nod.    In  1894 
he  was  called   to   ot.  John's  Church,  Kittanning,  Pa.,  where  li  ■ 
did  hard  and  successful  work  for  nine  years.     He   increased  the 
membership  from   170  to  342.  and  the  benevolence  of  the  congre- 
gation grew  in   a  corresponding  measure.     While  pastor  at  Kit- 
tanning,  he  organized  a  congregation  at  Ford  City  and  served  it 
for  four  years  in  connection  with  Kittanning.     In  the  spring  of 
1902,   he  had  a  break-down  in  health  because  of  excessive   work 
After  a  rest  of  several   months,   he   has   resumed  work.     But  as 
lighter  work  must    be  chosen,   he  gave  up    Kittanning,  and   in 
October,  1902,  he  accepted  a  call  to  St.  James,  Youngstown,  Pa. 
Here  the  work  has  gone  forward  with  good  success.       Rev.  Spig- 
gle   has  been    22   3'ears   in    the  ministry.     He  has  baptized  500 
infants,  confirmed  600  adults,  married  over  200  couples  and  con- 
ducted 400  funerals;   and  over  7,000  pastoral  visits  have  been 
made  during  his  ministry.     Rev.  Spiggle  is   a  good  sermonizer; 
his   sermons  are  carefull}'  prepared,    and  delivered  with    eneigy 
and  force.     He  has  a  good  standing  in  the  Synod  and  h.is  filled 
important  positions  of  honor  and  trust.     In  1881,  he  was  marned 
to  Miss  Mary  J.  Boone,  of  Salem,  Va.     One  son  and  four  daugh- 
ers  have  been  born  to  them  in  this  blessed  union. 

Rev.  John  Armstrong  Waters  (1885),  son  of  Rev.  Asa  H. 
and  Hannah  Catharine  W^aters,  was  born  July  16.  1857.  On  his 
father's  side  he  descends  from  one  of  the  oldest  Puritan  families 
of  Massachusetts,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  His  mother  was  Han- 
nah Catherine  Steck,  whose  father  and  grandfather  were  pioneer 
pastors  or  the  Lutheran  Church  in  W^estern  Pennsylvania.  His 
fa  het'  removed  from  Butler  county  where  he  was  pastc>f  of  Lu- 
theran churches  for  11  years,  to  Uniontown  where  he  opened  the 


SOUTHERN   CONFERENCE.  229 

Soldiers'  Orphan  School  in  the  old  Madison  College  building,  Oii 
the  19th  of  September,  1866.  At  this  institution,  under  the 
management  ot  his  father,  Rev.  Waters  received  his  primary 
education.  In  1873,  he  attended  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Millersville,  Pa.  After  his  return,  he  was  assistant  teacher  in 
his  father's  school  for  one  year.  In  1879,  he  was  graduated 
from  Thiel  College  with  tlie  first  honors  of  his  class.  After  his 
graduation,  he  was  principal  for  three  years  of  the  Soldiers  Or- 
phan School  at  .Jummonville,  Pa.  In  1885,  he  was  graduated  from 
the  Theological  Seminary  at  Phila.,  and  on  the  2d  day  of  June  of 
the  same  year,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Ministerium  of  Pa.  In 
August  of  the  same  year,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Pittsburg  Synod, 
he  was  appointed  missionary  at  Uniontown,  Pa.  He  accepted 
this  position,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  organized  a  congre- 
gation. He  continued  his  work  in  this  field  with  remarkable 
success.  He  gathered  a  congregation,  and  in  1888  he  consecrated 
a  fine  church,  as  has  been  fully  noticed  in  the  history  ol  Saint 
Paul's  congregation.  In  Octoberl890,  he  resigned  charge  of  this 
church  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  the  Soldiers'  Orphan 
School  made  vacant  by  tlie  resignation  of  his  father  ;  a  position 
that  he  still  fills  with  fidelity  and  success. 


430  VKRONA    CHURCH. 


TRINITY  EVANGELICAIv  IvUTHHRAN  CHURCH, 
VERONA,  PENN'A. 

This  mission  was  organized  Aug.  25,  1S89,  by  Rev.  R.  E.  Mc- 
Daniel,  Ph.  D.  At  first,  services  were  held  in  the  M.  E.  Church  ; 
then  for  a  period  of  several  years,  in  the  G.  A.  R.  Hall.  Thir- 
teen years  of  worshipping  in  halls  did  not  create  the  feeling  of 
a  church  home,  nor  promote  the  growth  of  the  congregation. 
When  Rev.  McDaniel  resigned,  June  2,  1901,  there  was  a  mem- 
bership of  less  than  forty  communicants.  Rev.  H.  S.  Gilbert 
took  charge  Dec.  i,  1901.  During  the  following  winter,  the 
congregation  decided  to  build  a  church  on  a  fine  lot  that  had 
been  donated  by  Mrs.  Mary  Brunot  several  years  previous.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  May  4,  1902,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  people.  The  full  service,  as  provided  in  the  Church 
Book,  was  rendered  by  the  pastor  and  congregation.  The  new 
church  was  dedicated  Aug.  10,  1902.  Rev.  McDaniel  preached 
at  the  morning  service.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  D.  D.,  at  2:30  P.  M.,  and  the  act  of  conse- 
cration was  performed  by  the  pastor.  On  the  same  evening,  the 
installation  of  the  pastor  took  place.  At  this  service,  Rev.  G. 
S.  Seaman,  Missionary  Superintendent,  delivered  the  discourse, 
and  Rev.  E.  Belfour,  D.  D.,  President  of  Synod,  installed  the 
pastor.  The  contract  price  for  the  church  was  $3,174;  the  en- 
tire cost  of  the  building,  including;  the  furniture,  was  $4,500. 
The  Chiirch  Extension  and  Missionary  Society  of  Pittsburg 
granted  a  loan  of  a  $1,000  on  first  mortgage,  for  five  years  with- 
out interest.  In  less  than  a  year,  only  $400  of  a  floating  debt 
remained.  During  the  first  sixteen  months  of  the  present  pas- 
tot  ate,  fort}'  communicant  members  were  added,  and  no  losses 
by  death  occurred.  The  prospects  for  the  mission  are  promising. 
Already  the  subject  of  building  a  parsonage  is  under  discussion, 
and  the  time  seems  not  far  distant  when  the  congregation  will 
be  able  to  support  a  pastor  without  the  aid  of  the  synod. 


SOUTHKRN   CONFERENCE.  431 

Rev.  H.  S.  Gilbert  (1896),  was  born  at  Fredonia,  Mercer 
county,  Pa.,  on  the  11th  of  February,  1868,  of  German  parent?. 
He  is  the  oldest  of  nine  children,  seven  of  wlioni  are  still  living. 
He  was  not  sent  to  school  till  he  was  eleven  years  old,  on  account 
of  the  distance  to  the  schoolhouse  ;  after  that,  he  received  four 
months  of  schooling  each  year.  When  he  was  18  years  old,  he 
began  to  prepare  for  college.  His  ambition  was  to  become  a  pro- 
ficient teacher.  He  took  a  full  course  at  the  Edinboro  Normal 
School,  and  after  his  graduation  was  elecced  principal  of  the 
school  of  his  native  town.  He  resigned  bis  position  in  order  to 
continue  his  studies  in  the  Fredonia  Institute,  and  was  graduated 
in  the  scientific  department  in  1892.  After  his  graduation,  he 
was  elected  president  of  the  North  Washington  Institute,  which 
position  he  filled  for  two  years,  when  he  resigned  to  pursue  his 
studies  in  theology.  He  entered  the  theological  department  of 
Susquehanna  Universit}',  where  he  completed  his  theological 
course  in  1896.  In  October,  of  the  same  year,  he  was  ordained 
by  the  Central  Pennsylvania  Synod  at  its  meeting  in  Lock 
Haven.  He  accepted  a  unanimous  call  from  Immanuel  Lu- 
theran Church,  Port  Royal,  Juniata  county,  Pa.,  and  served  it 
acceptably  till  September  1,  1898,  when  he  was  called  to  become 
pastor  of  St.  Mark's  Church,  Allegheny,  Pa.  He  ministered  to 
this  church  for  three  years  in  a  faithful  manner  ,•  but  when  a 
division  was  created  between  the  members  about  Lutheran  doc- 
trine and  Lutheran  practice,  he  resigned,  and  some  90  members 
withdrew  from  the  congregation,  who  afterwards  united  with 
Grace  Church,  Allegheny.  December  1,  1901,  he  accepted  a  call 
to  Verona  parish,  composed  of  Trinity  Church  at  Verona,  and 
St.  Paul's  Church  at  New  Kensington,  Pa.,  of  which  he  has  been 
a  successful  pastor.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Pittsburg 
Synod  at  its  meeting  in  New  Castle,  Pa.,  in  1902.  Rev.  Gilbert 
is  an  earnest  worker,  an  acceptable  preacher  and  a  faithful 
pastor.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  E.  Steck,  daughter  of 
Rev.  J.  M.  Steck,  D.  D.,  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  on  the  23d  of 
March,  1893.  Since  August  1,  1903,  he  has  been  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Redeemer,  South  Side,  Pittsburg. 


